Kiira ready to generate 200MW
KIIRA hydro-power station is ready to generate 200MW, its full capacity.
By Ibrahim Kasita
KIIRA hydro-power station is ready to generate 200MW, its full capacity.
This follows tests on units 14 and 15, which confirmed ability to generate power at full capacity provided there is enough water.
French power firm, Alstom, which was contracted to supply, install and commission the remaining two units, is carrying out the reliability and trial runs for units 14 and 15 respectively.
“We have finished testing units 14 and unit 15 and they are okay. We need water to turn the turbines,†Moses Kaizzi, an engineer with the Uganda Electricity Generation Company (UEGCL), , explained.
“If the rains continue, maybe by March, the station will be able to generate at full capacity,†Kaizzi predicted.
The two units are capable of producing 40MW each.
When The New Vision visited the station, units 14 and 15 were ready, save for a few extra requirements like vibration level reduction.
UEGCL’s technical manager Dan Mayanja said: “We suggested to Alstom to improve vibration of the units, then the trial and reliability runs will be completed.â€
Units 11 and 12 were commissioned in 2000, while unit 13 was commissioned in 2002.
Lake Victoria’s water levels have increased to 11m from 10.67m due to rains. The country requires 340MW to meet the power demand, which has disrupted economic growth.
However, the Directorate of Water Development (DWD), restricts water released at the Owen Falls Dam in adherence to the Agreed Curve Policy.
The authority wants water released to match the Agreed Curve Policy to mitigate the declining water levels of Lake Victoria.
The Agreed Curve Policy is the natural water flow that was adopted in the 1950s when the Owen Falls Dam was being built.
With the current lake levels, the corresponding Agreed Curve discharge is 563 cubic metres per second. However, after negotiations with DWD, the energy ministry has been allowed to release 750 cubic metres.
Kaizzi said: “It is prudent to keep the two stations operational because the different types of turbines in each station make Nalubaale power station a peaking plant, while Kiira is a base load plant.â€
KIIRA hydro-power station is ready to generate 200MW, its full capacity.
This follows tests on units 14 and 15, which confirmed ability to generate power at full capacity provided there is enough water.
French power firm, Alstom, which was contracted to supply, install and commission the remaining two units, is carrying out the reliability and trial runs for units 14 and 15 respectively.
“We have finished testing units 14 and unit 15 and they are okay. We need water to turn the turbines,†Moses Kaizzi, an engineer with the Uganda Electricity Generation Company (UEGCL), , explained.
“If the rains continue, maybe by March, the station will be able to generate at full capacity,†Kaizzi predicted.
The two units are capable of producing 40MW each.
When The New Vision visited the station, units 14 and 15 were ready, save for a few extra requirements like vibration level reduction.
UEGCL’s technical manager Dan Mayanja said: “We suggested to Alstom to improve vibration of the units, then the trial and reliability runs will be completed.â€
Units 11 and 12 were commissioned in 2000, while unit 13 was commissioned in 2002.
Lake Victoria’s water levels have increased to 11m from 10.67m due to rains. The country requires 340MW to meet the power demand, which has disrupted economic growth.
However, the Directorate of Water Development (DWD), restricts water released at the Owen Falls Dam in adherence to the Agreed Curve Policy.
The authority wants water released to match the Agreed Curve Policy to mitigate the declining water levels of Lake Victoria.
The Agreed Curve Policy is the natural water flow that was adopted in the 1950s when the Owen Falls Dam was being built.
With the current lake levels, the corresponding Agreed Curve discharge is 563 cubic metres per second. However, after negotiations with DWD, the energy ministry has been allowed to release 750 cubic metres.
Kaizzi said: “It is prudent to keep the two stations operational because the different types of turbines in each station make Nalubaale power station a peaking plant, while Kiira is a base load plant.â€