In 1995 REGIDESO acquired a 5.5 MW thermal power station in Bujumbura, but up to 2008 it was generally idle, available as an emergency back-up.

[2][a] In December 2010 the World Bank agreed to provide US$15 to improve the electricity supply in Burundi, including an extension of the thermal power plant in Bujumbura.

[3] The second thermal plant, with 5.0MW capacity, operated through subsidies from the World Bank and the European Union.

[4] In 2012 Burundi was facing a large electrical power deficit, reaching 40% - 50% of demand in peak hours.

The Bujumbura Thermal Power Station, owned by Regideso, had been shut down for nine years.