Under the calm surface of Lake Kivu, which lies on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, vast amounts of methane and carbon dioxide are trapped in the deep waters. These gases are held in place by a stable layer of water that prevents them from mixing with the surface. The lake contains approximately 62 km³ of methane and 300 km³ of carbon dioxide, and over 2 million people live near its shores. Since the mid-2010s, efforts have been made to extract and use the methane to generate electricity, reducing the risk of a potential disaster if the gases were to suddenly escape. Lake Kivu is similar to Lake Nyos in Cameroon, which experienced a catastrophic limnic eruption in 1986. This event released large amounts of carbon dioxide, suffocating over 1,700 people and thousands of animals in the surrounding area. The cause of that disaster is still debated, with theories ranging from landslides to minor volcanic activity. In response, a degassing system was installed at Lake Nyos in 2001 to safely release the trapped gases. Today, similar methods are being used at Lake Kivu to prevent a similar disaster. Lake Kivu is much larger than Lake Nyos, covering 2,385 km² with a maximum depth of 485 meters. The lake is divided by a stable layer of water known as a chemocline, which keeps the deep gases isolated from the surface. This stratification has remained unchanged for centuries, allowing the gases to accumulate slowly over time. However, factors such as rising water temperatures, underwater landslides, or volcanic activity could disrupt this balance, potentially triggering a massive release of carbon dioxide. In 2002, an eruption near Lake Kivu raised concerns about such a scenario, but no immediate risk has been confirmed. Recent satellite images have revealed signs of a potential underground magma movement near the southern part of the lake, sparking renewed concerns about the stability of the gas layers. However, authorities in Rwanda have downplayed these fears, emphasizing that no serious scientist predicts an imminent disaster. Still, the potential consequences of a limnic eruption at Lake Kivu are staggering, with estimates suggesting it could affect up to two million people. While this remains a theoretical scenario, it has prompted efforts to harness the lake's gas resources. To mitigate the risk, researchers and local authorities have focused on extracting and using the methane rather than allowing it to accumulate. The KivuWatt power plant, located on the Rwandan side since 2015, uses a floating barge to pump water rich in methane and carbon dioxide from the lake's depths. The methane is used to generate electricity, while the carbon dioxide is either reinjected into the lake or treated separately. Another project, launched in 2019, aims to complement this effort. The potential energy output from these operations is significant, with estimates suggesting enough electricity could be produced to meet Rwanda's needs for decades. However, the process is not without controversy, as studies have raised concerns about the environmental impact of reinjecting acidic water into parts of the lake previously free of gas.