Government through Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) is expanding the national transmission grid by implementing a total of 14 projects to increase power supply and reliability across the country.
The transmission grid is the backbone of the Uganda Power Systems transmitting electricity from main and small generation sources to the various load centres in all regions across Uganda.
UETCL’s projects are in line with the Government’s National Development Plan and Vision 2040
Key among the projects under implementation is the grid expansion and reinforcement Project: Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua Transmission Line that is extending power to West Nile sub region which never been connected to the national grid.
The Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua Transmission Line aims to increase availability and efficiency of bulk electricity supply in the project areas (Northern and West Nile regions).
The 294km of 132kV transmission line from Kole, through Gulu and Nebbi, to Arua (KGNA) will include the Construction of new 132/33kV substations at Kole, Gulu, Nebbi and Arua
Financed by the World Bank through the International Development Association (IDA) and Government of Uganda, the project is almost 70% completed with 524 of 897 tower foundations completed, and 477 of 897 towers erected.
Recently, the UETCL Managing Director, Michael Taremwa admitted that the demand for power in West Nile is suppressed because of low generation capacity, and added that the Company (UETCL) was in the process of stringing the transmission cables on the Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua 132kV Transmission Line Project to reinforce supply to the West Nile region, as well as connect the West Nile region to the national grid.
This, however, he said will be completed by March 2023.
Other projects include the following:
Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project
The project aims to reinforce the power transmission grid in the Kampala metropolitan area for reliable future supply of electricity.
The project scope covers Mukono – 3x125MVA, 220/132kV (New); Buloba – 2x125MVA,220/132kV; 2x40MVA 132/33kV (New); Kawaala – 3x40MVA 132/33kV; 1x20MVA 132/11kV (Upgrade), Mutundwe Substation reconfiguration to double busbar (Upgrade), Mobile Substation 1x20MVA, 132/33kV (new); Bujagali – 1x250MVA 220/132kV; Reconductoring to HTLS Mukono – Kampala North; Kampala North – Lugogo; Kampala North – Mutundwe)
The project is financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Government of Uganda
Gulu – Agago 132kV Transmission Project
The Gulu-Agago 132kV transmission project is to provide transmission capacity to evacuate power from Agago/Achwa 88MW power plant to reinforce supply to the Northern and West Nile region, and to meet the region’s un-served demand
Funded by the German Development Bank (KfW) and Government of Uganda, the project has seen Excavation for tower foundations and 6/254 tower foundations completed.
Masaka – Mbarara 400kV Transmission Project
The Masaka-Mbarara 400kV, 135km Transmission Line and associated Substations will provide adequate transmission capacity for reliability and security of power supply to Western Uganda.
The project also aims to ensure provision of transmission capacity to cater for Grid Interconnection between Uganda and Rwanda, improve operational and technical performance of the interconnected grids, and promote regional power trade and cooperation through sharing of resources
The project will see construction of 400kV double circuit transmission line between Masaka and Mbarara of length of 132km, and the construction of 2 X 220kV line bays at Masaka and Mbarara substation
Mirama – Kabale Transmission Project
The 132kV Mirama-Kabale transmission project aims to boost the existing transmission capacity of 33kV to enable provision of reliable, quality and adequate power supply to Kigezi sub region situated in the southern part of Uganda.
The project covers the construction of 132kV (85km) transmission line and related substation extension at Mirama, related substation extension at Mirama, and new substation at Kabale
Funded by Islamic Development Bank and Government of Uganda, the project is almost 50% complete with 100 of 294 tower foundations completed, and Design & Engineering fully complete.
Kampala – Entebbe Expansion Project
The objective of the project is to provide transmission capacity to supply reliable and quality power to Entebbe town and environs.
The project scope covers the construction of 23.8km, 132kV double circuit Mutundwe – Entebbe Transmission line, extension of Mutundwe 132/33/11kV substation, and a new 132/33kV double busbar substation at Entebbe
The project nears completion with Mutundwe-Entebbe transmission line at 89.1%, 65 of 73 tower foundations constructed, 64 of 73 towers erected,
18.9km of 23.8km transmission line strung, extension of 132/33kV Mutundwe substation and new 132/33kV Entebbe substation at 90% complete.
The Design is 96% complete, equipment delivery to site – 96% complete, civil works at 86.4%, equipment erection at 98%, and installation at 96.2%
Interconnection of Electric Grids of Nile Equatorial Lakes Countries (Uganda)
The project objective is to improve access to electricity in Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) countries through increased cross border sharing of energy and power
The project scope covers the construction of 220kV double circuit transmission line from Bujagali via Tororo substation to the Uganda/ Kenya border, over a distance of 131km.
The scope also covers the construction of 220kV double circuit transmission line from Mbarara North substation in Uganda to the Rwanda border over a distance of 66km, extension of substations at Bujagali, Tororo and Mbarara, and the construction of a new 220/132/33kV substation at Mirama.
The project is financed by the African Development Bank (ADB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Government of Uganda
The Bujagali-Tororo-Lessos line construction is 70% complete with 353/402 tower foundations completed, 247/402 towers erected, and 22/131km of transmission line strung.
Other projects under implementation include; electrification of industrial parks, Tororo – Lira 132kV Transmission project, Mbarara Nkenda Transmission Line among others.
