Grapevine

Shs53.3b contracts for 6.7MW electricity project signed

The Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) has signed civil and hydromechanical contracts for the ORIO mini hydropower project.

The signing, which was presided over by Ms Irene Pauline Bateebe, the Energy Ministry permanent secretary in Kampala Wednesday, kick-starts the construction of nine mini-hydropower plants with a total generation capacity of 6.7 megawatts and develop a local distribution network spanning 288 kilometres.

Ms Bateebe said the project was key in enhancing energy access, noting that government has an ambitious target of increasing electricity access from 19 percent to 80 percent by 2040.

The ORIO project is expected to connect about 71,081 households and 2,300 small and medium enterprises across Kasese, Bushenyi, and Hoima districts, which Ms Bateebe said will ensure the provision of stable and reliable power for rural electrification and address challenges of long-distance power transmission.

Mr Roy Nyamutale Baguma, the UECCC managing director, said the project will be implemented by HNAC Technology, a publicly listed company with 30 years of experience in water conservancy, electric power, and environmental protection solutions from China, which will handle civil and hydromechanical works, while Ossberger GmbH from Germany will design, manufacture, supply, and install the electromechanical components.