Mbale–Bulambuli–Siti Medium Voltage Power Line

The Mbale–Bulambuli–Siti Medium Voltage Power Line is a medium voltage electricity power line (33kV), under construction, connecting the medium voltage substation at Siti II Hydroelectric Power Station in Bukwo District, in the Eastern Region of Uganda, to another medium voltage substation in the city of Mbale, the largest urban centre in Uganda's Eastern Region.[1]

Mbale–Bulambuli–Siti Medium Voltage Power Line
Location
CountryUganda
Coordinates01°09′36″N 34°23′48″E
General directionSouth to North
FromMbale, Uganda
Passes throughBulambuli
ToSiti, Uganda
Ownership information
OperatorUmeme Limited
Construction information
Construction started2017
ExpectedCommissioning 2020
Technical information
Type of currentAC
Total length125 km (78 mi)
AC voltage33kV
No. of circuits2

Location

The 33 kilo Volt power line starts at the Umeme Limited (Umeme) 33kV substation at Mbale, Mbale District, in Uganda's Eastern Region. The power line travels in a general north-easterly direction to the town of Bulambuli, in Bulambuli District, a distance of about 56 kilometres (35 mi).[2] From there, the power line takes a general easterly direction to end at Siti II Hydroelectric Power Station, a distance of about 101 kilometres (63 mi), by road from Bulambuli.[3] Due to the steep terrain, the power line does not always follow the winding road. The line measures only 125 kilometres (78 mi), from Mbale to Siti II Power Station.[4]

Overview

The power line is being developed to evacuate the 16.5 megawatts of electricity generated at Siti II Hydroelectric Power Station and transmit it to Mbale were it will be distributed to industrial, commercial and domestic customers. Siti II Power Station is expected online in the 3rd quarter of 2020.[5]

The metropolis of Mbale attained city status on 1 July 2020. Before that, their electricity consumption was no more than 20 megawatts. In 2019, peak demand in Mbale increased by 5 percent. This transmission line together with other distribution enhancements within the city, will result in the availability of 61 megawatts of electricity by December 2020.[6]

Associated power infrastructure

As part of this power line, Umeme is also installing a switching station and plant house at its existing Mbale substation. In addition, it is installing capacitor banks, aimed at stabilizing the power supply.[6][7]

Another large infrastructure development in Mbale, is the creation of Tangshan Mbale Industrial Park. The park, which sits on 619 acres (251 ha) will host 60 to 80 factories when fully developed. Its peak consumption is calculated at 220 megawatts of electricity at full capacity. Umeme is construction a 33 kilo Volt transmission line, measuring 75 kilometres (47 mi) long, from Tororo to Tangshan Mbale Industrial Park, delivering 25 megawatts of electricity. Umeme is also constructing a switching station and plant house within the industrial park, to stabilize the electricity to industrial standards. The electricity distributor utility is also constructing a distribution network within the park measuring 10 kilometres (6 mi).[6][7] 

At a later date, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) plans to develop the 132kV Mbale–Bulambuli High Voltage Power Line, at which time the 33kV medium voltage line will plug into the high voltage line, for better stability of the network.[5] 

Cost and construction

The power line and associated infrastructure developments are budgeted at US$9.23 million (UShs34 billion). Construction started in June 2019 and is expected to conclude in August 2020. The Tangshan Mbale Industrial Park Project will cost US$5.99 million (UShs22 billion). Work started in May 2020, with completion expected in December 2020. Funding is provided 100 percent by Umeme Limited.[6][7]

See also

References
  1. Rose Mugena (20 July 2020). "Siti II power line takes shape". The Observer (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  2. Google (14 August 2020). "Road Distance Between Mbale And Bulambuli" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  3. Google (14 August 2020). "Distance Between Bulambuli And Siti II Hydroelectric Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  4. Ismail Musa Ladu (18 June 2019). "Electricity distributor to build power line to industrial parks in eastern Uganda". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  5. Umeme (18 June 2019). "Umeme to move power from Bukwo dam to Mbale". Kampala: Umeme Limited. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  6. The Observer (12 August 2020). "Umeme invests Shs 56bn in Mbale city electricity network". The Observer (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  7. Amon Katungulu (12 August 2020). "Inside Umeme's Shs55 billion investments in Mbale". Kampala: Nile Post Uganda. Retrieved 14 August 2020.

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