By SADAT MBOGO & MISAIRI THEMBO KAHUNGU
Gomba. Uganda’s solar energy generation capacity connected to the national grid will soon hit the 50MW mark within this year as new plants are being established.
The latest addition of solar generated energy to the national grid is the 20MW Kabulasoke pilot solar power plant in Gomba District that was commissioned yesterday by President Museveni.
Developed and Installed by Dr David Alobo, a Ugandan scientist based in Germany under the auspices of Xsabo Group of Companies in conjunction with Great Lakes Energy Company N.V from the Netherlands, the $24.5 million (Shs91 billion) is becoming the largest plant in the East African region.
It also becomes the third to be installed in Uganda after Soroti Solar plant and Tororo solar power plant, each producing 10MW.
The Chief Executive Officer of Electricity Regulatory Authority, Ms Ziria Tibalwa Waako, revealed that another 10MW solar plant is near commissioning in Mayuge District. These four will contribute 50MW of solar energy to the national grid.
With the country’s electricity power generation capacity currently at 851.53MW, there is hope for a major boast when the Karuma dam’s 600MW and Isimba dam’s 183MW are added to the national grid.
Power prices reduce
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the Kabulasoke Pilot Solar Power Plant yesterday, President Museveni said the government has plans to extend both hydro-electric and solar power to all sub-counties countrywide.
“We are planning to extend electricity to all sub-counties. Some sub-county headquarters already have and what is remaining is to extend power to the villages,” Mr Museveni said.
The President urged solar power companies to put down power prices for more rural Ugandans to be connected to the home solar system so that they can enjoy the peace ushered in by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
Mr Museveni, however, warned the people of Kabulasoke against stealing solar panels from the plant saying he has already received reports from the investors.
He congratulated Xsabo group and their partners upon fulfilling the promise to install a solar plant in Kabulasoke.
Patriotism
The initiative to install the Kabulasoke solar power plant was hatched by Dr Alobo after being challenged by the President to use the spirit of patriotism to invest in Uganda.
“I want to congratulate the investors and I thank the people of Kabulasoke for hosting the project,” he said.
Mr Museveni challenged the people of Gomba to use the chance of receiving electricity to create wealth.
He said that the government plan for transformation of the country through commercial agriculture, industrialisation, services and information and Communication Technology (ICT).
He said everyone should work hard to achieve prosperity through any of the four sectors.
According to the Xsabo Group Managing Director, Dr Alobo, his company targets establishment of five solar power parks in the country with a projection of 150MW in a total investment of $200 million (about Shs747 billion).
New plants
He listed other areas as Kasese (20MW), Lira (20MW), Soroti (50MW) and Mubende (50MW) as the new plants to be established.
The plant covers 98 acres in the 128acres of land.
“We hope to provide cheap and affordable power to communities in Gomba and its neighbourhood especially in Greater Masaka and Katonga regions.
We are here to help diversify the national energy pool. We ask for the government to continue supporting us (investors in the energy sector) through putting up right policies and improve infrastructural framework.” Dr Alobo said.
He said throughout the five projects, the company is projected to employ the local people adding that in Gomba alone, 400 people got jobs.
According to ERA, the solar energy resource in Uganda is high throughout the year with mean solar radiation of 5.1 kWh/m2 per day on a horizontal surface, the country has a potential of 11.98 x 108 MWh gross energy resources.
Ms Waako yesterday said the government is planning to install another 10MW solar power plant near Tororo and the wind power generation plant with a capacity of 20MW in Karamoja.
-Daily Monitor
