One of Uganda’s leading mega development project which is expected to increased national economic growth and development , the Karuma Hydro Power Project in Kiryandongo District, is ready and will be launched by President Yoweri Museveni later this year ,Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja has announced.
Nabbanja who was on a guided tour of the project at the weekend said hat the power plant the biggest in Uganda is 99% complete with three power generation units generating 300MW of electricity . She was accompanied by the Energy Minister , Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa.
“Soon the fourth unit will be operational and I am very hopeful that by November, the project will be ready for launching”, Nabbanja said.
The Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station is a 600 MW hydroelectric power project under construction in Uganda. When completed, it will be the largest power-generating installation in the country.
Eng. Paul Tumwine, the deputy project manager of Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) stated that the total cost of the project will be $1.7 billion.
China Export and Import Bank (China EXIM Bank) extended a loan equal to 85% of the project cost and government of Uganda has financed the balance 15% .
Background to the project
UEGCL selected Switzerland-based engineering and design company, AF-Consult Switzerland, as the project management consultant for the multi-billion power project.
The engineering, procurement and construction contract for the project was awarded to Sinohydro, a hydropower and construction company based in China.
Sinohydro subcontracted Alstom (now GE) for supplying turbine generator sets and related equipment for the project, while the transformer units for the project are provided by Shandong Taikai Transformer Company, a company based in China.
Hima Cement, a Uganda-based subsidiary of LafargeHolcim, was subcontracted by Sinohydro to supply cement for the project.
PowerChina Huadong, a subsidiary of Sinohydro, is the main designer, while Entura is providing advisory services while Intec GOPA-International Energy Consultants provided project management and supervision services for the Karuma Interconnection project.
