By Johnson Kanyesige
At least 71,081 households and 2,300 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in hard-to-reach areas of western Uganda, are set to gain access to Hydro Electric power.
The project will cover up to seven districts where the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalization Company (UECCC), will champion the ORIO Mini Hydro Power Project.
Speaking to journalists, Roy Baguma, the UECCC managing director, revealed that the project is worth Euro 13.1 million from the ORIO Infrastructure Fund (now “Invest International”) of the Netherlands Government and is co-financed with the Government of Uganda. “UECCC is leading this bold initiative to bring electricity to Uganda’s rural communities. By the project’s end, 71,081 households and 2,300 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will gain access to reliable and sustainable power,” he said.
Baguma adds that the project will span across the districts of Kasese, Bushenyi, Mitooma, Hoima, Kabarole, Bunyangabu, and Bundibugyo, with nine mini hydro power plants with a combined capacity of 6.7 MW, and lay 288 kilometres of local distribution networks. “These localized energy hubs eliminate the need to wheel power over vast distances, ensuring that rural households can benefit from stable electricity at affordable rates.”
According to Baguma, the project’s works contracts have been signed with HNAC Technology Co. Ltd (China) for civil and hydro-mechanical works and Ossberger GmbH (Germany) for electro-mechanical systems, making sure that the project benefits from world-class technology and expertise.
The civil works are expected to kick off next month, and last for 24 months.
