Kikagati Hydroelectric Power Station

Kikagati Hydroelectric Power Station, also referred to as Kikagati Power Station, is a 16 MW (21,000 hp) hydroelectric power station, under construction in Uganda.[2]

Kikagati Power Station
Map of Uganda showing the location of Kikagati
CountryUganda
LocationKikagati, Isingiro District
Coordinates01°02′33″S 30°40′10″E
StatusUnder construction
Construction began2018[1]
Opening date2021 (Expected)
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsKagera River
Reservoir
Normal elevation1,300 m (4,300 ft)
Commission date2021 (expected)
Turbines2 x 5.5MW
Installed capacity16 MW (21,000 hp)
Annual generation115 GWh

Location

The power station is located on the Kagera River, along Uganda's International border with the Republic of Tanzania. This location lies near the town of Kikagati, approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi), by road, south of Mbarara, the largest city in the sub-region.[3] Kikagati lies approximately 330 kilometres (210 mi), by road, southwest of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the largest city in that country.[4]

Overview

Kikagati Power Station is a mini-hydropower plant, with initial planned capacity installation of 10 MW (13,000 hp), when completed. The project will involve the construction of a dam, creating a 4,000 square metres (0.99 acres) reservoir lake. The new reservoir will lie partly or wholly, within Tanzania. The new power station will be built at the location of another smaller power station that was destroyed in 1979 during the war that removed Idi Amin from power in Uganda.[5]

In September 2011, the planned capacity installation was increased to 16 MW.[6] This power project received partial funding from the Uganda GetFit Program.[7]

Development rights

Initially, the Chinese company China Shan Sheng, was issued the construction license for the project in 2008.[8] At that time, construction costs were estimated at US$25 million. The 33kV transmission line that will connect the power from the station to the Uganda national electricity grid has already been constructed. Some of the power will be sold to Tanzania, under arrangements made through the East African Community.[9]

Between 2008 and 2013, the Chinese pulled out of the deal. Development rights were taken up by TrønderEnergi, a Norwegian power company, with a Ugandan subsidiary Tronder Energy Limited. In July 2013, TronderEnergi advertised for suitable firms to bid on the construction of Kikagati Power Station. Bids were also sought on the nearby Nshungyezi Hydropower Station, a proposed 39 MW (52,000 hp) minihydroplant, approximately 13 kilometres (8.1 mi), downstream of Kikagati, on which TronderEnergi has development rights as well.[10]

Construction timetable

Kikagati Power Station was awarded a production license by the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), in October 2014. SBI International AG was awarded the construction contract.[1] The new construction cost has been reported at US$50 million.[1] Construction started in February 2018, with commissioning planned for the first half of 2021.[1] In March 2019, the project received US$27 million in funding from the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF).[11]

See also

References
  1. Odyek, John (19 February 2018). "Government Calls for Timely Completion of Kikagati Dam" (PDF). New Vision Quoted by SBI International Holdings AG. Kampala. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  2. GetFit Uganda (31 December 2017). "GetFit Uganda: 2017 Annual Report, Kikagati Power Station". GetFit Uganda. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  3. "Road Distance Between Mbarara And Kikagati With Map". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  4. "Map Showing Kampala And Kikagati With Distance Marker". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  5. Turyakira, Fred (3 September 2008). "Tanzania, Uganda To Build Power Dam". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  6. Infrastructure (21 September 2011). "Tanzania And Uganda To Build Dam On Kagera River". Arusha.WantedInAfrica.com. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  7. Uganda GET Fit (31 December 2017). "Uganda GET Fit Program: 2017 Annual Report". Kampala: Uganda GET Fit Program. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  8. Kasita, Ibrahim (15 May 2008). "More Power Licenses Given Out". New Vision. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  9. EAC. "Cross-Border Electrification Programme". East African Community (EAC). Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  10. Development Business (4 July 2013). "Contractors To Develop The Kikagati Hydro Power Project In Uganda". DevBusiness.com (Development Business). Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  11. Patrick Mulyungi (20 March 2019). "Kikagati Hydropower Project In Uganda Receives US $27 Million Funding". Nairobi: Construction Review Online. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
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