Govt generates 32.7MW of renewable energy

SOLAR POWER

The four solar power plants that were set up in the last financial year are generating 32.7MW of renewable energy.

The plants include the 10MW plant in Soroti, Muvumbe 6.5MW, Siti I6.2MW and another 10MW solar power generation facility in Tororo.

The energy minister, Irene Muloni, said with large power dams currently under construction, Uganda's electricity generation capacity will more than the double the current 950MW by next year.

According to the ministry, the construction works at the 600MW Karuma Power Dam have progressed to 64%. The largest hydro power plant Uganda is building is expected to be commissioned in December 2018.

Over 75% of the construction work at the 183MW Isimba hydro power dam is complete, and the plant is expected to come on stream by August 2018.

Over 60% of the construction work at the 83MW Agago-Achwa plant is complete. It is also expected to be switched on in October 2018. The additional geotechnical study for the 44.7MW Muzizi hydropower project has been done ahead of the start of construction.

There are about 10 medium size hydropower dams the Government intends to develop in the next few years. The construction of some of the medium hydropower projects has started. Altogether, the medium hydropower dams will generate over 100WM.

"The power production capacity of Uganda will more than double by end of 2018. We are going to have more power to connect Ugandans. We also have an arrangement to take the power to other countries in the region," Muloni said.