$64bn power plan to end energy woes

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni receives North Korea's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-nam on March 27, 2008. Yong-nam is to visit Uganda on Wednesday with the aim of sealing deals to strengthen security ties Kampala's presidency said. PHOTO | FILE | REUTERS 

By ADAM IHUCHA Special Correspondent

In Summary

• The joint power project aims to generate 26,649 MW of energy by 2038. This is more than eight times the current 3,670MW produced in the EAC.
• EAC will invest $14 billion between 2013 and 2018 to raise the region’s installed electricity generation.
• The region is rich in energy resources spread throughout partner states, but they remain largely untapped.

The East African region plans to spend $64 billion on joint power projects to generate eight times more power, and end crippling energy woes that have slowed economic growth.

The new spending plan released last week shows that the joint power project aims to generate 26,649 MW of energy by 2038. This is more than eight times the current 3,670MW produced in the EAC.

According to the blueprint, the EAC will invest $14 billion between 2013 and 2018 to raise the region’s installed electricity generation.

The funds will also finance the development of two new plans in the energy sector, one for fossil fuels and the other for renewable energy.

The region is rich in energy resources spread throughout partner states, but they remain largely untapped.

Tanzania has natural gas and coal; Kenya has geothermal power and coal; Rwanda has methane gas; Burundi has peat and all partner states have hydro, wind and renewable energy resources.

Nyamajeje Weggoro, the director in charge of productive sectors at the EAC Secretariat says these resources put the region’s energy potential at 27,000MW.

“The region has identified priority generation and transmission projects required to meet projected electricity demand over the planning horizon,” said EAC secretary general Richard Sezibera.

The Singida-Arusha-Nairobi 400 kV interconnector is anticipated to increase power generation by 2014. The feasibility study and preparation of tender documents for the transmission line are being prepared.

Other projects include the Bujagali 250MW hydoelectric dam, which was commissioned in 2012. The cost of the project was $116 million.

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Another is the 220kV transmission line between Uganda and Rwanda is set to be funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) at $57 million. There is also the 220kV transmission line between Rwanda and Burundi, which AfDB, German development bank KfW, and the European Union have agreed to fund at $20 million.

The region also anticipates realising the Masaka-Mwanza 220kv interconnector by 2014. The Rusumo-Nyakanazi 220kv, Rusumo-Kigali 220kv interconnector and Rusumo-Bujumbura 220kv interconnector should be complete by 2015.

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The 2,100MW Stienglers Gorge hydropower project is expected to be in operation by 2017, while Kiwira Coal Plant in Tanzania, with a capacity to generate 200MW, will become operational in 2014.