Uganda Electricity Generation Company (UEGCL) chief executive officer Harrison Mutikanga has said a new partnership on renewable energy with W Giertsen Energy Solutions of Norway will go a long way in equipping the country in the area of developing renewable energy
He made the remarks on the 14th February 2017, as UEGCL signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the private solar solutions company as part of our energy mix strategy.
“The partnership will go a long way in opening up opportunities for further cooperation between the Norwegian Government and UEGCL in the areas of renewable energy development, and capacity building,” Mr Mutikanga said in a statement, highlighting that more solar power plants, water pumping systems and hydro-Solar hybrid plants will be established.
He added, “Norway is a country rich in renewable energy and with reputable institutions which can benefit the capacity building efforts of UEGCL. This partnership will therefore in turn contribute towards the attainment of the Government of Uganda’s Goal of sustainable and affordable electricity to the people of Uganda.”
“In line with the National Vision 2040, as well as the National Development Plans, UEGCL’s Strategic Direction 2015-2017 prioritized the implementation of an Energy Mix Strategy as a means of reducing dependency on Hydropower, and thereby diversifying the portfolio of power generation.”
“Key considerations in this regard include the exploration of Solar and Geothermal. This strategy is justified by the current unpredictable weather patterns and climate change trends which have at times stifled increased power generation capacity and also impeded access.”
UEGCL is a government–owned company that in 2002 concessioned the Kira and Nalubaale hydropower plants in Jinja and now own the 600MW Karuma and the 183MW Isimba hydropower plants among other projects and will take take charge of the proposed four cascade hydropower plants along the River Nile, that is, Ayago (840MW), Oriang (392MW), Kiba (288MW), and Murchison (648MW).
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Mr. Mutikanga recently disclosed that the government agency with the mandate to develop, own, and operate electricity generation facilities has stepped up its efforts to deliver more than 783 MW of new generation capacity by 2020.
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