You won’t plunge into darkness - power players
Dr Harrison Mutikanga, the chief executive officer of Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (4th right, front row), Mr Alaister McDougall ,the Bujagali Energy Limited general manager (centre), and other officials after a discussion between the two companies on safety management at BEL Premises in Buikwe after a discussion on safety management on March 7. PHOTO/ABUBAKER KIRUNDA
What you need to know:
- The two power-generating companies said the country’s electricity production remains sufficient and unaffected by Umeme’s exit.
Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) and Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL) have reassured the public that electricity generation will remain stable even after Umeme's contract ends next month.
In a joint statement released last Friday, the two power-generating companies said the country's electricity production remains sufficient and unaffected by Umeme's exit.
“Currently, we are producing 2056 megawatts of power which will be maintained on the grid for supply. Therefore, the exit of Umeme cannot affect power users,” Mr Enock Kusasira, the UEGCL spokesperson, said after a discussion between the two companies on safety management at the BEL premises in Kikubamutwe Village, Buikwe District on Friday last week.
He explained that Umeme has been responsible for managing electricity generated by UEGCL and BEL, both of which remain operational.
UEGCL oversees power generation at Karuma, Isimba, Nalubaale, and Kiira stations, while BEL produces electricity at the Bujagali station.
The general manager of BEL, Mr Alaister McDougall, said their work is to produce power and that Umeme's departure will not affect electricity supply.
“Umeme was in marketing of power we produce, therefore, its termination is less of our problem since we do not market power,” Mr Dougall said.
Mr Dougall added that Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) will take over from Umeme and will receive the same quantity of power, ensuring no disruption for customers previously served by Umeme.
To strengthen their working relationship, top executives from both companies met at Bujagali Dam to discuss critical safety systems essential for the power generation process.
Dr Harrison Mutikanga, the chief executive cfficer of Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited , commended the high safety standards maintained at the Bujagali hydropower station.
“We are all in the same business of power generation, but I'm happy to say that safety systems at Bujagali are okay,” Dr Mutikanga said, adding, “Today we have focused our discussions of safety which we have found out that these people maintain a very good safety system.”
He disclosed that the two companies have agreed to regularly share insights on plant safety maintenance.
BACKGROUND
Umeme was formed in 2004. The Auditor General’s recent report details that Umeme “continuously made investments” in the network increasing the financial liability which the government is supposed to pay in accordance with Section 12 of the Support Agreement of the concession entered in 2004 starting March 1, 2005 running until end of March this year. The government, through the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL), is gearing to take over operations of the distribution network effective April 1.
