Hydropower will secure Uganda’s future
Feb 11, 2010
POWER is a major requirements for the modern era and its demand is very high for industrial development and domestic use. Uganda, as a developing country, continues to be one of the states where hydropower will play a great role in the future. In economic development, hydropower boosts industries an
Frank Kweronda
POWER is a major requirements for the modern era and its demand is very high for industrial development and domestic use. Uganda, as a developing country, continues to be one of the states where hydropower will play a great role in the future. In economic development, hydropower boosts industries and energy exports.
Hydro-potential is the backbone to future social and economic development. Total large hydropower potential is estimated to be over 2000 megawatts (MW) especially along the River Nile.
It should be noted, however, that our Lake Victoria being the largest reservoir in Africa and at the same time the source of the White Nile, sooner or later, will be limited in terms of hydropower development. Reason being that the Nile is a trans-boundary river with many countries having a lot of interest in it; among them Ethiopia and Egypt.
Therefore, since we still have a lot of small hydropower potential on our small rivers, we should change the strategy and start investing in small and mini-hydro power. One small hydropower system of 13 MW capacity, for example, is capable of reducing loadshedding of at least two districts in a region, if connected to the national grid.
The investment cost for small hydropower is not much compared to large hydropower which may require a lot of money in terms of loans, especially from development partners and banks.
Small hydropower can easily be taken up by private investors (individual or a group) who would do the implementation. These private investors would agree with the Government on how to operate the system for a number of years then hand it back to the Government in future.
So far, more than 50 mini hydropower sites with a combined potential of 250 MW have been identified through various studies in Uganda.
Currently, small hydropower accounts for only 26 MW of electricity generation capacity. Some of the sites can be developed for isolated grids and others for electricity energy sales to the grid.
To improve on the hydropower sector and reduce on the power rationing, small hydropower projects should be encouraged on our small rivers within the country.
The writer is a civil engineer and has a masters in hydropower development
POWER is a major requirements for the modern era and its demand is very high for industrial development and domestic use. Uganda, as a developing country, continues to be one of the states where hydropower will play a great role in the future. In economic development, hydropower boosts industries and energy exports.
Hydro-potential is the backbone to future social and economic development. Total large hydropower potential is estimated to be over 2000 megawatts (MW) especially along the River Nile.
It should be noted, however, that our Lake Victoria being the largest reservoir in Africa and at the same time the source of the White Nile, sooner or later, will be limited in terms of hydropower development. Reason being that the Nile is a trans-boundary river with many countries having a lot of interest in it; among them Ethiopia and Egypt.
Therefore, since we still have a lot of small hydropower potential on our small rivers, we should change the strategy and start investing in small and mini-hydro power. One small hydropower system of 13 MW capacity, for example, is capable of reducing loadshedding of at least two districts in a region, if connected to the national grid.
The investment cost for small hydropower is not much compared to large hydropower which may require a lot of money in terms of loans, especially from development partners and banks.
Small hydropower can easily be taken up by private investors (individual or a group) who would do the implementation. These private investors would agree with the Government on how to operate the system for a number of years then hand it back to the Government in future.
So far, more than 50 mini hydropower sites with a combined potential of 250 MW have been identified through various studies in Uganda.
Currently, small hydropower accounts for only 26 MW of electricity generation capacity. Some of the sites can be developed for isolated grids and others for electricity energy sales to the grid.
To improve on the hydropower sector and reduce on the power rationing, small hydropower projects should be encouraged on our small rivers within the country.
The writer is a civil engineer and has a masters in hydropower development