Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station

Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station is a 183.2 megawatts (245,700 hp) hydroelectric power station commissioned on 21 March 2019 in Uganda.[3][4] Construction of this dam began in April 2015[5] and was completed in January 2019.[6] Commercial operations began on 21 March 2019.[1]

Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station
Map of Uganda showing the location of Isimba.
Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station (Africa)
Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station (Earth)
CountryUganda
LocationIsimba, Kamuli District
Coordinates00°46′18″N 33°02′32″E
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Opening date21 March 2019[1]
Construction costUS$567.7 million[2]
Owner(s)Government of Uganda
Operator(s)Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsVictoria Nile
Commission date21 March 2019
Turbines4 x 45.8 MW
Installed capacity183.2 megawatts (245,700 hp)
Annual generation1,039 GWh

Location

The power station is located at the village of Isimba on the Victoria Nile, in Kamuli District.[7] This is approximately 44 kilometres (27 mi), by road, north of the Bujagali Hydroelectric Power Station.[8] The geographical coordinates of Isimba Power Station are: 00°46'18.0"N, 33°02'32.0"E (Latitude:0.771667; Longitude:33.042222).[9]

Overview

The contract for a feasibility study and preparation of tender documents, worth US $3.8 million, was awarded to a consortium consisting of the engineering firms Fichtner (lead) and Norplan.[10] A local Ugandan company, Kagga & Partners, was a sub-consultant to the consortium.[10] Initial planned capacity at Isimba was to be at least 100 megawatts (130,000 hp).[10][11]

In July 2013, Ugandan media reported that the construction contract had been awarded to the China International Water & Electric Corporation, a Chinese government-owned power company.[12] The generation capacity had been increased to 183.2 megawatts.[12] Construction was expected to last 34 months.[12] In January 2018, following the expiry of their 40-month contract, Energy Infratech Private Limited, from India, handed over to a new supervising engineering consortium. The consortium comprises Artelia EAU & Environment from France and local company KKATT Consult Limited. Completion is now expected in August 2018.[13][14] As of April 2018, according to the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited, the project was 86 percent complete, with total cost quoted at US$567.7 million.[15]

The most recent design includes a 0.5 kilometres (1,600 ft) bridge on top of the power station that will span the Victoria Nile and provide another crossing across the river.[16] However, the road over the dam was one lane instead of the two lanes in the design, and was deemed unusable. The contractor was instructed by the government of Uganda, to construct a 3.5 kilometres (2 mi) public bridge, downstream of Isimba Dam, at a cost of USh24 billion (US$6.7 million). Work on the public bridge is expected to conclude in December 2020.[17]

Construction costs

The total project cost was originally estimated at US $350 million. In 2008, the Ugandan government secured a loan from the Export-Import Bank of India to fund the construction.[18] In April 2013, Ugandan print media reported that the government of India had extended a credit line worth US $450 million (about UGX:1.1 trillion) for construction of the dam.[19]

In July 2013, media reports indicated that the cost of the dam had risen to US $570 million (about UGX:1.4 trillion), funded by a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China.[20][21][22] In March 2015, the Ugandan Parliament authorized the Ugandan government to borrow US$482.5 million (about UGX:1.4 trillion) from China Exim Bank at 2 percent annual interest repayable over 20 years, with a five-year grace period. Uganda will contribute the remaining US$107 million to the project, for a total cost of US$589.5 million.[23][24] A new 132 kilovolt transmission line was constructed to evacuate the generated power and integrate it into the national grid at the Bujagali Power Station.[25]

Funding

Te table below illustrates the funding sources for the power station alone, without the related power line, road and other infrastructure.[2]

Sources of Funding for Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station
RankName of Development PartnerFunding in USD (Millions)Percentage
1Exim Bank of China482.585.0
2Government of Uganda85.215.0
Total567.7100.00

Operations

The power station is operated by the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited, a government-owned company.[26]

See also

References
  1. The Independent (21 March 2019). "Cheaper electricity expected as Isimba Dam commissioned". The Independent (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  2. Administrator (21 March 2019). "The Faces Behind The Isimba Dam Project". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  3. PTC (15 March 2016). "Isimba Hydropower Project, Uganda". Power-technology.com (PTC). Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  4. Tajuba, Paul (28 July 2013). "Govt awards Chinese company Isimba Hydropower project". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  5. Tabu Butagira (21 March 2019). "Relief For Industrialists As 183MW Isimba Dam Opens". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  6. Jean Marie Takouleu (26 January 2019). "Uganda: CWE Commissions 183.2 MW Isimba Hydroelectric Dam". Paris, France: Afrik21. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  7. Musingo, Doreen (23 October 2011). "Government plans to build power dam in Kamuli District". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  8. Globefeed.com (12 April 2016). "Distance between Bujagali Hydropower Plant, Buikwe, Central Region, Uganda and Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station, Ntenjeru, Central Region, Uganda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  9. Google (11 April 2018). "Location of Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  10. Norplan (3 March 2010). "Norplan consortium signs contract for the Isimba hydro power project in Uganda". Norplan AS 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  11. Kasita, Ibrahim (18 May 2009). "Uganda: German Firm Gets Sh8 Billion Isimba Power Deal". New Vision via AllAfrica.com. Kampala. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  12. Howe, Marc (10 October 2013). "Chinese Begin Work On Uganda's $500M Hydropower Plant". Sourceable.net. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  13. Musisi, Frederic (19 January 2018). "Isimba dam gets new consultant". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  14. Barigaba, Julius (30 January 2018). "Uganda replaces Isimba hydopower dam engineer". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  15. Julius Businge (10 April 2018). "Seven experts to scrutinize Isimba Dam works". The Independent (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  16. Wakabi, Michael (12 October 2013). "New hydro projects to ease Uganda's power costs". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  17. Benjamin Jumbe (19 November 2019). "Muloni trashes Kadaga's Shs24 billion Isimba Dam corruption claims". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  18. "India Gives $350m for Isimba Dam". ESI Africa Magazine (South Africa). 30 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  19. Kulabako, Faridah (22 April 2013). "India to give Shs1.1t for Isimba hydro plant". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  20. Bwambale, Taddeo (30 July 2013). "Uganda awards another hydro-electric project to Chinese firm". New Vision. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  21. Staff Reporter, China (5 August 2013). "Chinese to fund and build Uganda's Isimba hydroelectric dam". Asian-Power.Com. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  22. Vision Reporter (7 August 2014). "Isimba Dam construction commences". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  23. Nelson Wesonga, and Yasiin Mugerwa (15 March 2015). "Parliament okays Shs1.4 trillion loan for Isimba hydropower deal". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  24. Company Press Release (7 October 2013). "CWE starts construction on Isimba hydro power project in Uganda". Power-technology.com. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  25. Kiwuuwa, Paul (6 March 2015). "Government seeks approval for Sh1.3 trillion loan". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  26. Administrator (21 March 2019). "We Hope To Generate 17,000MW By 2018, Says Mutikanga". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
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