Namanve power project commences

Jan 24, 2008

NORWEGIAN firm Jacobsen AS Elektro has started work on the $88m power project in Namanve.<br>The 50-megawatt heavy-fuel thermal plant is expected to produce the initial power by August.

By Ibrahim Kasita

NORWEGIAN firm Jacobsen AS Elektro has started work on the $88m power project in Namanve.
The 50-megawatt heavy-fuel thermal plant is expected to produce the initial power by August.

The project was delayed by 20 months after the losing bidders alleged irregularities in the award of the contract.

However, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), made the decision to award the license to Jacobsen to boost the country’s dwindling power generation.

Under the license, Jacobsen will to build, own, and operate the plant for six years before transferring it to the Government.

The company has already started doing civil works at the Namanve substations where heavy duty generators will be stationed.

The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company completed the rehabilitation of the substation for power evacuation into the national grid. This is part of the new strategy of tackling electricity demand head-on, instead of the old approach of chasing demand forecasts from behind.

The strategy involves attracting local, foreign, public and private investors into the sector.

“This will not only enable us to cater for the desired pace of economic development but also ensure that electricity ultimately reaches every part of the country,” senior officials in the energy sector, argued.

The officials disclosed that the Government was doing everything possible to diversify sources of power supply at affordable rates.
The first local independent power producer, Electro-Max, will also build another 20-megawatt-heavy-duel oil thermal plant in Tororo. Initial power is expected in June next year.

The current electricity supply stands at 255 mega watts but the country requires about 280 megawatts to power the economy to grow at more than 6% per annum.

These include West Nile Rural Electrification Company, Eco Power for the Ishasha hydro-site, China Shang Sheng International for the Kikagati hydro-site and Aggreko International for Lugogo and Kiira thermal plants.

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