Bujagali dam opens today

By Moses Walubiri

Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi is today expected to commission the first 25MW phase of Bujagali hydro-elec­tric power dam. The dam is eventually expected to supply 250MW to the national grid.

According to the managing director of Uganda Electricity Generation Company, John Mugyenzi, this constitutes half of the capacity of the first tur­bine that will produce 50MW when fully operational.

Appearing before the parlia­mentary ad hoc committee on energy yesterday, energy min­ister Simon D’Ujanga quelled the legislators’ fears over the volume of water required for power generation, saying it will be reviewed from time to time.

The MPs also said reduced water levels might affect fish­ing and shipping if Bujagali requires more than 800 cubic meters per second to attain its optimal capacity.

The committee is currently probing issues of subsidies and power tariffs.

The initial date of commissioning date has been pushed forward on a number times after the contractor encountered unfavourable ground conditions.

Glenn Gaydar, the Bujagali Energy Ltd.; (BEL) project director, revealed back in January last year that the works had necessitated significant redesign, and construction of a new major structure related to the gated spillway in order to safeguard the integrity and safety of the dam.