Umeme injects Shs10 billion in new electricity substation

Improving supply. The substation seeks to improve power supply in parts of the central region.

Power distributor, Umeme Limited has injected Shs10.8 million ($4 million) in a new substation as it seeks to sufficiently cater for the increasing demand for electricity in the central region.

The substation located in Lubowa, Wakiso District will supply areas of Entebbe, Kajjansi and Lubowa among others.

The areas listed are some of the places that have in the recent past seen a drastic increase in the demand for power.

While touring the facility on Friday, Ms Florence Nsubuga, the Umeme chief operations officer, said the sub-station will boost the power distributor’s infrastructure capacity to sufficiently supply electricity in the areas of Entebbe, Kajjansi and Lubowa among others.”

“The investment was informed by the rapidly growing demand for power along Entebbe Road especially in the areas of Kajjansi and Lubowa,”Ms Msubuga said.

Areas along Entebbe Road have in the recent past seen a tremendous growth in the demand for power driven by an increase in uptown residential areas as well as small scale and large scale industrialisation. The substation will be commissioned in March 2013.

Ms Nsubuga said: “Regrettably customers in these areas have been experiencing frequent interruptions in power supply but the investment will offer long term stability once the works at the substation are completed.”

Mr Henry Rugamba, the Umeme chief communications officer attributed the increased demand for power in the area to a growth in commercial and industrial consumption.

He said the 28 megawatts substation targets to stabilize power supply for about 30.000 customers.

Steel manufacturer, Roofings Limited is part of the major industries to benefit from the power substation.

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