So close yet so far: Karuma dam commissioning hangs in balance

Cries of government’s baby, the 600megawatt (MW) Karuma power dam might not be heard this year as the project’s commissioning has been pushed to 2020.

The ‘intolerable labour pains’ through the six-year gestation period waiting on Karuma dam might be extended longer.

This is according to the in-charge, Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL).
Speaking to Daily Monitor, Mr Simon Kasyate, UEGCL spokesperson, said the physical power dam structure will be ready in December but commissioning has been postponed to next year.

“In all honesty, the commissioning of Karuma dam will be in the first half of next year. We are looking at maybe March of next year,” he says, explaining: “Although the generation facility will be ready as of December, it needs to be dry and wet tested, which you cannot do without power being evacuated.”

In essence, UEGCL claims that the dam’s commissioning in December has been postponed because the transmission evacuation lines will not be ready to move power from the dam.

“Karuma is now at over 95 per cent in terms of physical structure and also the installation of hydro mechanical and electro-mechanical parts. Just about two weeks ago, we sunk in the last generator unit for unit six. We are now doing final touches in as far as that is concerned,” Mr Kasyate says.

Physical works are also ongoing in the underground tunnels and main access tunnel to ensure finalisation of the $1.65b (Shs6.1 trillion) hydro dam project.

The challenge of the absence of power transmission lines even after a dam has been set up is common.

It stems largely from delays culminating from land compensation challenges by Project Affected Persons (PAPs) who either refuse compensation demanding for more money or absentee landlords among other reasons.

Lack of funds also presents a challenge to the transmission company.

However, Ms Pamela Byoruganda, principle public relations manager Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), at the beginning of the year told Daily Monitor that the evacuation lines would be ready by December, the challenges notwithstanding.

During a recent media tour to Lira, works were ongoing to develop the Karuma-Lira transmission substation in preparation of the evacuation line.

Ms Byoruganda, however, insists that the transmission lines will be ready by December.

“We have been meeting PAPs and trying to solve compensation issues. The president had asked for all people we had issues with along Karuma road and we have been meeting them. So we shall also be ready,” she said.

Infrastructure
Upon completion of the dam, the society around Karuma will welcome a civilian hospital, a primary school and military hospital.

According to UEGCL, groundbreaking for the military hospital was undertaken three weeks ago while land has been secured for the civilian hospital which will be domiciled in Oyam District.

To avoid weight lifting the Ministry of Education with responsibility of an additional school, UEGCL settled on rehabilitating and expanding the already existing yet dilapidated Amaji Primary School in Oyam district.