In Uganda Fred Kabagambe-Kaliisa, Permanent Secretary for the Energy Ministry said that the ministry is inviting bids for the development of a 100 MW hydropower project. The ministry is looking for consultancy service bids for the plant, which would be located at Isimba on the Nile River.
"These involve undertaking feasibility studies and detailed designs for the power plant and transmission line," Kabagambe-Kaliisa said. The ministry is asking that environmental and social impacts be included in the assessments.
The government already has a portion of the funding required for the project in place as the government of India has pledged a $350 million line of credit for the construction of the hydropower plant.
Uganda‘s current electricity supply is 255 MW; however it requires about 580 MW to keep up with its growing economy.
As the Nile River passes through Uganda the country has several locations at which hydropower is feasible and a couple projects are in the works or on the books to add to its power generation. Currently under construction is the Bujagali hydropower plant which is expected to generate around 250 MW. The plant is ahead of schedule and is tagged to be commissioned Q3 2010. Also, Japan has agreed to send hydropower experts to assist the government to prepare for construction of the proposed 500 MW Ayago hydro-power project.
