58MW added to national grid

President Museveni switches on power at Nyagak power house in Zombo District in 2012. FILE PHOTO

Kampala.
The two turbines at the Kiira and the Nalubaale power plants that have been in disuse for up to eight years are now running, power generator, Eskom said yesterday.

They are generating 58Megawatts, which according to Eskom Uganda Limited, which manages the plants, can light up to 100, 000 homes.
Eskom had in 2006 de-commissioned Unit 13 at Kiira because of the drop in the level of water in Lake Victoria.

The drop is attributed to the construction of a second outlet at the Owen Falls Dam area as well as prolonged dry spell.
Mr Simon Kasyate, Eskom’s corporate affairs manager, said Unit 6 at Nalubaale had worn out in 2008 due to age and run hours, which forced Eskom to de-commission it.

“The two units are now available and their total contribution to the national electricity grid is 58MW,” Mr Kasyate said yesterday in reply to our email enquiries.

Mr Kenneth Otim, the public relations officer of Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd said the additional generation is good “since we (UETCL) are here to buy electricity in bulk [from the generation plants] and sell it in bulk to the distribution companies.”

Uganda government in line with its privatisation policy disengaged from direct electricity supply, unbundling then inefficient power provider Uganda Electricity Board and contracting out energy generation, transmission and supply to clients to three private firms.

Mr Henry Rugamba, power distributor Umeme’s head of communications, said the 58MW would “relieve a lot of pressure” they are experiencing.
“Steel manufacturer, Roofings Limited takes up one turbine. There will be a cement factory that will soon be opening up in Namawojjolo on the Kampala – Jinja Highway. It will consume power too. So the 58MW will relieve a lot of pressure,” Mr Rugamba said.

According to Electricity Regulatory Authority’s John Julius Wandera, the ‘extra’ electricity from Eskom would, in the short term, nip in the bud any likelihood of load shedding.

Mr Wandera said unmet demand for electricity is increasing by 50 per cent annually. So Uganda must ensure it adds 50MW to the electricity grid annually.