Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station

Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station
Map of Uganda showing the location of Karuma Falls
Country Uganda
Location Karuma Falls
Coordinates 02°14′51″N 32°16′05″E / 2.24750°N 32.26806°E / 2.24750; 32.26806Coordinates: 02°14′51″N 32°16′05″E / 2.24750°N 32.26806°E / 2.24750; 32.26806
Status Under construction[1]
Construction cost US$2.2 billion
Dam and spillways
Impounds Victoria Nile
Height 20
Length 312
Spillways 8
Reservoir
Normal elevation 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
Commission date 2018 (expected)[2]
Type Run-of-the-river
Turbines 6 x 100 MW (Francis)
Installed capacity (planned) 600 MW (800,000 hp)

The Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station is a 600 megawatts (800,000 hp) hydroelectric power project under construction in Uganda. When completed, it will be the largest power-generating installation in the country.[3]

Location

The power station is located at Karuma Falls on the Victoria Nile, at the present location of the Karuma Falls. This location is approximately 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) upstream of where the Masindi-Gulu Highway crosses the Nile. By road, it is approximately 98 kilometres (61 mi) northeast of Masindi[4] and 75 kilometres (47 mi) south of Gulu.[5] The geographical coordinates of Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station are:02°14'51.0"N, 32°16'05.0"E (Latitude:2.247500; Longitude:32.268056).[6]

History

As far back as 1995, the government of Uganda planned to construct a hydropower station at the site of the Karuma Falls. Initially, Norpak, a Norwegian energy company, was awarded the contract to perform the feasibility study and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the dam. The World Bank promised to make a loan available to pay for the construction.[7] The feasibility study report was made available in October 2006. Bids for construction of the project went out in November 2006. Initially, the plan was to build a 200-250 megawatt power station.[8]

In 2009, the plans were redrawn, calling for a much larger project of 750 megawatts. Sometime during 2009, Norpak pulled out of the negotiations with the Ugandan government, citing the Global Recession of 2008 to 2012.[9]

The Ugandan government then contracted with Energy Infratech Private Limited to perform a new feasibility study and a new EIA, given that a larger power station was now being planned.[10] At that time, construction was expected to start in 2012 and last six years.[11]

In July 2011, media reports indicated that the maximum capacity of the project had been scaled back to 600 megawatts from 750 megawatts. Some international development partners wanted to scale back even further, to a maximum capacity of 400 to 450 megawatts.[12]

Construction costs

In January 2011, Energy Infratech Private Limited, the Indian company contracted to perform the feasibility study for the project, said the estimated total cost for the dam and power plant was approximately US $2.2 billion. That figure included the cost needed to build a transmission line from Karuma to a location where the power will be integrated into the national power grid.[13]

The power generated will be transmitted via high voltage wires to three substations as follows:[14] (a) a 264 kilometres (164 mi) 440 kilovolt line to Kawanda UETCL Substation in Wakiso District (b) 80 kilometres (50 mi) 132 kilovolt line to Lira and (c) a 60 kilometres (37 mi) 440 kilovolt line to a substation in Olwiyo, Nwoya District. The construction costs for the high voltage transmission lines are estimated at US$250 million.[15] In June 2013, the Ugandan government awarded the construction contract to Sinohydro, a Chinese construction company. Work began in the second half of 2013 and is expected to last five years. Construction costs will be jointly funded by the Ugandan and Chinese governments.[16][17][18] In June 2014, the Chinese Exim Bank committed in writing to fund 85 percent of the construction costs, in the form of a concessionary loan repayable in five years. The Ugandan government will fund the remaining 15 percent of the cost.[19][20]

In March 2015, the Ugandan Parliament assented to two loans totalling US$1.435 billion, from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of China, for the construction of the power station. Of that amount, US$789.3 million will be loaned at 2 percent per annum, repayable over 20 years, while US$645.82 million will attract 4 percent interest, payable over 15 years, effective the day the dam is fully commissioned. Uganda has already invested US$253.26 million to start the construction.[21] That brings the total funds committed to the project as, of March 2015, to US $1,688,380,000.

As of June 2018, with approximately 76 percent of the work completed, the total construction budget was quoted at US$1.7 billion, with US$1.4 billion for construction of the power station, and US$300 million going towards the new transmission lines and new substations.[22]

Construction work

Gulu Highway construction near Karuma dam.

The construction of the dam and power station officially started on 12 August 2013.[23][24] In March 2015, Sinohydro, the lead contractor on the project, contracted with Alstom to provide equipment and technical services to the power station, in a deal worth US$65 million. The equipment includes six 100 megawatt Francis turbines and related equipment.[25] At the peak of construction, it is expected that a total of 2,500 casual and permanent workers will be hired.[24] The power station is expected to be commissioned in 2018.[26][27]

As of March 2016, about 30 percent of the work had been completed.[28] In October 2016, it was estimated that about 1,000 Chinese nationals and about 5,000 Ugandans were working at the power station.[29]

In February 2018, the Red Pepper Newspaper reported that work equivalent to 74 percent of the entire project had been completed and commissioning of the power station was expected in December 2018.[30]

As of June 2018, fifty-six months since the beginning of construction, an estimated 76 percent of the physical work had been completed. Of the 6,000 workers, 5,300 are Ugandan. The first 200MW of power are expected online in December 2018, and the rest in 2019. Each unit of power is expected to cost the consumer US$0.049 for the first 10 years of the life of the power station, after which the price will drop down to US$0.020 per unit, for the next 15 years. Three new substations, one each at Karuma, Kawanda and Olwiyo, are part of the construction contract. The substation at Lira will also undergo an upgrade to accommodate power from Karuma.[22]

Photos and diagrams

Lira–Gulu–Agago High Voltage Power Line

Lira–Gulu–Agago High Voltage Power Line
Location
Country Uganda
Coordinates 2°48′09″N 32°18′16″E / 2.802500°N 32.304444°E / 2.802500; 32.304444
General direction South to North
From Lira, Uganda
Passes through Gulu
To Agago, Uganda
Ownership information
Owner Government of Uganda
Operator Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited
Construction information
Construction started TBD
Expected TBD
Technical information
Type of current AC
Total length 140 mi (230 km)
AC voltage 132kV
No. of circuits 2

The Lira–Gulu–Agago High Voltage Power Line is a planned high voltage power line in the Northern Region of Uganda.[31][32][33][34][35]

Location

The 132 kilo Volt power line would start at the 132kV Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) substation at Lira. The line would travel in a general northeast direction to the city of Gulu, approximately 132 kilometres (82 mi) away, by road.[36] From Gulu, the power line would travel in a general easterly direction for about 160 kilometres (99 mi), to end at Agago.[37] The total distance traveled by the power line is estimated at approximately 230 kilometres (143 mi), since the line does not follow the road all the time.[31]

Overview

This power line is intended to distribute electricity generated from power stations on the Victoria Nile to the Northern Region of Uganda. It is also intended to evacuate power from the Achwa Hydroelectricity Power Station Complex, including Achwa 2 Hydroelectric Power Station, under construction as of January 2018, and Achwa 3 Hydroelectric Power Station, under development.[38] The main objective is to improve the quantity, quality and reliability of electricity supplied to the region.[31]

Construction

As of June 2017, the website of the Electricity Regulatory Authority, stated that (a) preparation for implementation of the population resettlement plan were underway, (b) the updated feasibility study was in its final stages, (c) the pre-qualification of the contractors was ongoing and (d) the tender evaluation had been concluded. The scope of work involves the construction of a new 132kV electricity substation at Agago.[39] In January 2016, the German government committed to lend €40 million, on soft terms, towards the construction of this power line.[32]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kasita, Ibrahim (13 August 2013). "Karuma dam project to come online by 2018 (Construction Started In August 2013)". New Vision. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  2. ↑ Otage, Stephen (13 December 2013). "Work on Karuma dam begins". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  3. ↑ Barigaba, Julius (10 July 2011). "Donors query Uganda on excess capacity in Karuma dam". The EastAfrican. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  4. ↑ Globefeed.com (24 February 2018). "Distance between Masindi, Uganda and Karuma Dam, Uganda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  5. ↑ Globefeed.com (24 February 2018). "Distance between Post Office, Gulu, Uganda and Karuma Dam, Uganda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  6. ↑ Google (20 January 2018). "Location of Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  7. ↑ Josephine Maseruka, and Carol Natukunda (10 March 2005). "Uganda: Norpak Blames WB On Karuma Dam". New Vision via AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Uganda: More energy, services in 2008". East African Business Week (Uganda). 14 January 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  9. ↑ Habati, Mubatsi Asinja (14 May 2012). "Bribery hits 600MW Karuma power dam". The Independent (Uganda). Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  10. ↑ "Energy Infratech Is Providing Technical and Management Services For Karuma Power Station". Energy Infratech Limited. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  11. ↑ Lal, Shialendraumar (1 December 2011). "Rural Areas Say Bye To Darkness: UETCL 10th Anniversary". New Vision. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  12. ↑ Martin Luther, Oketch (17 June 2011). "Government Yet To Agree On Control of Oil Tax Cash". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  13. ↑ Lauren, van der Westhuizen (14 March 2011). "Uganda Increases Cost Estimate for Karuma Hydropower Plant to $2.2 Billion". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  14. ↑ Odyek, John (13 August 2015). "UETCL Signs €5.2 Million (USh20.5 Billion) Deal With German Company". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  15. ↑ George, Muzoora (13 August 2013). "Museveni Commissions Karuma". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  16. ↑ Ojambo, Fred (21 June 2013). "Uganda Awards Sinohydro Contract to Build Karuma Hydro Project". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  17. ↑ Masereka, Alex (16 July 2013). "Government, China To Jointly Fund Karuma Power Dam Construction". The Red Pepper (Uganda). Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  18. ↑ Kasita, Ibrahim (11 June 2014). "Work On Karuma Hydropower Project On Track". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  19. ↑ Mugalu, Moses (19 June 2014). "China Exim Bank Offers Funds for Karuma Dam". The Observer (Uganda). Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  20. ↑ EABW, . (21 June 2014). "Uganda: China Bank Guarantees Karuma Dam Payment". East African Business Week via AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  21. ↑ Wesonga, Nelson (25 March 2015). "Parliament okays $1.435 billion loan for Karuma". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  22. 1 2 Lubega, Henry (16 June 2018). "Uganda's flagship power project nears completion". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  23. ↑ Wakabi, Michael (17 August 2013). "Karuma power plant paves way for more stations". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  24. 1 2 Ondoga, Ayiga (20 April 2014). "Construction at Karuma hydro power project starts". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  25. ↑ Harris, Michael (3 March 2015). "Alstom Receives Turbine Order for Uganda's 600-MW Karuma Hydropower Plant". Hydroworld.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  26. ↑ UEGCL (March 2015). "Karuma Hydro Power Project 600MW". Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL). Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  27. ↑ Muhumuza, Mark Keith (25 February 2016). "Karuma dam construction on schedule – Energy ministry". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  28. ↑ Wesonga, Nelson (28 March 2016). "Two years on: Only 30 percent of Karuma Dam works complete". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  29. ↑ News Agencies (19 October 2016). "Hope of finding drowned Chinese national fades". Daily Monitor Quoting Agencies. Kampala. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  30. ↑ Staff Writer (20 February 2018). "Karuma Hydro Station Installs Radial Gates". Red Pepper. Mukono. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  31. 1 2 3 UETCL (11 January 2018). "Projects Under Feasibility Studies". Kampala: Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL). Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  32. 1 2 Nakitende, Hadija (7 January 2016). "Germany lends Uganda Ushs148b for power line". Sunrise Uganda. Kampala. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  33. ↑ Supplement (12 June 2017). "A vibrant energy sector spurs growth". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  34. ↑ Wesonga, Nelson (8 June 2017). "Government power projects face dark future as Energy Fund dries up". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  35. ↑ Matia Kasaija (11 June 2015). "Full Budget Speech 2015/2016: Delivered at the meeting of the fifth session of the 9th Parliament of Uganda". Kampala: NTV Uganda. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  36. ↑ Globefeed.com (11 January 2018). "Distance between UETCL SubStation Lira, Lira, Uganda and Gulu Post Office, Gulu, Uganda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  37. ↑ Globefeed.com (11 January 2018). "Distance between Gulu Post Office, Gulu, Uganda and Agago Town Council, Agago, Northern Region, Uganda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  38. ↑ AfDB (14 December 2016). "African Development Bank: Achwa II Hydropower Plant". African Development Bank (AfDB). Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  39. ↑ UETCL (20 June 2017). "Projects Under Review and/or Approval" (PDF). Kampala: Electricity Regulatory Authority. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
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