Uganda to Add Two Thermal Plants By 2007

Uganda to add two thermal plants by 2007

KAMPALA, March 24 (Xinhua) — Uganda will begin to build two thermal plants with total capacity of 100MW this year to ease the souring power shortage in the country, local media quoting official reported on Friday.

“Two more thermal plants will be constructed in Namanve and Mutundwe with each capacity of 50MW. Work will begin this year and supplying power will start in January next year,” said Frank Sebbowa, CEO of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA).

He said construction of the thermal plants would mitigate load shedding before the Bujagali hydro power project, the biggest in the country, is completed.

The 250MW Bujagali project is expected to kick off this year and start generation in 2010.

“Demand for power has continued to grow at 27MW annually without substantial new generation capacity. In the short term, thermal generation in Namanve and Mutundwe will greatly reduce loadshedding,” he said.

Sebbowa said a Norwegian firm, AS Jacobsen, has won the bid to install thermal generators at Namanve after signing an agreement with the government.