Achwa 1 Hydroelectric Power Station
The Achwa 1 Hydroelectric Power Station (A1HPS), also Achwa I Hydroelectric Power Station, is a hydroelectric power station currently under construction (2020) in Uganda, with a planned installed capacity of 41 megawatts (55,000 hp).[1]
Achwa 1 Hydroelectric Power Station | |
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Map of Uganda showing the location of Achwa 1 HEP Station. | |
Country | Uganda |
Location | Achwa River, Gulu District |
Coordinates | 03°08′53″N 32°30′51″E |
Status | Under construction |
Construction began | 2019 |
Opening date | 2022 (Expected) |
Dam and spillways | |
Impounds | Achwa River |
Turbines | 4 x 10.25MW |
Installed capacity | 41 MW (55,000 hp) |
Location
The facility is located across the Achwa River, in Gulu District, Northern Uganda. This location is at the border between Gulu District and Pader District, approximately 38 kilometres (24 mi) north of the settlement of Aswa. This location is within close proximity of the Achwa 2 Hydroelectric Power Station.[2]
This is approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi), by road, northeast of Gulu, the largest city in Northern Uganda.[3]
Overview
Achwa 1 is a run-of-the-river hydroelectricity project with planned annual output of 274 GWh. This power station is one in a cascade of five power stations planned on the Achwa River totaling 109 megawatts (146,000 hp).[2][4] The power generated will be sold to the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited, for integration into the national electricity grid.[5]
Construction
The power generated will be evacuated via the Lira–Gulu–Agago High Voltage Power Line, a 132kV high voltage transmission line, to a substation in Lira, a distance of approximately 140 kilometres (87 mi), where it will be sold to the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (“UETCL”).[4] Other infrastructure that will be constructed include 9 kilometres (6 mi) of service roads, a 38 kilometres (24 mi) service road to connect the site to the Gulu-Kitgum Road and a camp for the construction workers.[2][4]
In 2016, solicitation for bids to carry out feasibility and environmental impact assessments for this power station, were advertised. The development rights are owned by Berkeley Energy, through its wholly owned Ugandan subsidiary, Maji Power Limited.[6]
Works were ongoing as of January 2020.[7]
References
- Kurt Stumpo (4 November 2016). "Achwa Hydro Power Projects 1 and 2". IFLR1000. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- Kinoshita, N.; et al. (14 December 2016). "African Development Bank: Project: Achwa II Hydro Electric Power Project: Country: Uganda: Summary of Environmental and Social Assessment (ESIA)" (PDF). Abidjan: African Development Bank (AfDB). Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- GFC (10 April 2018). "Distance between Gulu, Northern Region, Uganda and Atanga I, Northern Region, Uganda". Globefeed.com (GFC). Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- AfDB (14 December 2016). "African Development Bank: Achwa II Hydropower Plant". African Development Bank (AfDB). Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- ERA (24 August 2014). "Electricity Regulatory Authority: Licensed Projects: Achwa 1 HPP & Achwa 2 HPP (83 Megawatts)". Kampala: Electricity Regulatory Authority. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- Africa Energy Newsletter (23 June 2016). "Uganda: Technical study for Achwa I Hydro". Africa-Energy.com. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- "Body of Kenyan National Yet to be Recovered From River Achwa :". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 10 April 2020.