Kikagati Hydroelectric Power Station

Kikagati Power Station
Map of Uganda showing the location of Kikagati
Country Uganda
Location Kikagati, Isingiro District
Coordinates 01°01′48″S 30°40′48″E / 1.03000°S 30.68000°E / -1.03000; 30.68000Coordinates: 01°01′48″S 30°40′48″E / 1.03000°S 30.68000°E / -1.03000; 30.68000
Status Planned
Dam and spillways
Impounds Kagera River
Reservoir
Normal elevation 1,300 m (4,300 ft)
Power station
Commission date 2017 (expected)
Turbines 2
Installed capacity (planned) 16 MW (21,000 hp)

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

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.[1] Kikagati lies approximately 330 kilometres (210 mi), by road, southwest of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and the largest city in that country.[2]

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.[3] In September 2011, the planned capacity installation was increased to 16 MW.[4]

Development rights

Initially, the Chinese company China Shan Sheng, was issued the construction license for the project in 2008.[5] 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.[6]

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.[7]

Construction timetable

Kikagati Power Station was awarded a production license by the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), in October 2014. Construction is expected to commence in December 2014, and last approximately 2 years.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Road Distance Between Mbarara And Kikagati With Map". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Map Showing Kampala And Kikagati With Distance Marker". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  3. ↑ Turyakira, Fred (3 September 2008). "Tanzania, Uganda To Build Power Dam". New Vision. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Infrastructure (21 September 2011). "Tanzania And Uganda To Build Dam On Kagera River". Arusha.WantedInAfrica.com. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  5. ↑ Kasita, Ibrahim (15 May 2008). "More Power Licenses Given Out". New Vision. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  6. ↑ EAC. "Cross-Border Electrification Programme". East African Community (EAC). Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  7. ↑ Development Business (4 July 2013). "Contractors To Develop The Kikagati Hydro Power Project In Uganda". DevBusiness.com (Development Business). Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  8. ↑ Sanya, Samuel (22 October 2014). "ERA Licenses 9 Renewable Energy Projects". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 23 October 2014.
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