Bujagali–Tororo–Lessos High Voltage Power Line is a high voltage electricity power line, under construction, connecting the high voltage substation at Bujagali, in Uganda to another high voltage substation at Lessos, in Kenya.[1]
| Bujagali–Tororo–Lessos High Voltage Power Line | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Uganda and Kenya |
| Coordinates | 0°41′40″N 34°12′28″E / 0.694444°N 34.207778°E |
| General direction | West to East |
| From | Bujagali, Uganda |
| Passes through | Tororo, Malaba, Eldoret |
| To | Lessos, Kenya |
| Ownership information | |
| Owner | Government of Uganda & Government of Kenya |
| Partners | Japan International Cooperation Agency and African Development Bank |
| Operator | Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited & Kenya Electricity Transmission Company |
| Construction information | |
| Contractors | Multiple |
| Construction started | 2015 |
| Expected | TBA |
| Technical information | |
| Type of current | AC |
| Total length | 162 mi (261 km) |
| AC voltage | 220kV and 400kV |
| No. of circuits | 2 |
Location
editThe power line starts at Bujagali Hydroelectric Power Station, in Jinja District, as a 220kV high voltage power line. From here, the line travels to the eastern Ugandan town of Tororo, a distance of about 127 kilometres (79 mi). At Tororo, the voltage is stepped up to 400kV, and the line travels in that state, through the town of Eldoret, to Lessos, in Nandi County, a total distance of approximately 133 kilometres (83 mi).[1]
Overview
editThis power transmission line connects the electricity grid of Uganda to that of neighboring Kenya. It is in line with The Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP), Interconnection of Electric Grids Project, led by Regional Manager, Grania Rubomboras.[2]
The power line satisfies Uganda's need to export electricity to Kenya.[3] It also satisfies Kenya's need to sell electricity to Uganda and the countries to the west of Kenya, including Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[4][5]
Construction in Uganda
editThe Bujagali–Kenya border section is jointly funded by (a) the government of Uganda (GoU), (b) the African Development Bank (AfDB), and (c) the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).[6] As of May 2019, the construction was on hold, as a new EPC contractor was being sought. Plans are underway to energize the Bujagali to Tororo section in Uganda to 400kV.[7] As of August 2024, construction was at 70 percent complete at the 220kV level.[8]
Construction in Kenya
editThe Lessos–Uganda border section is jointly funded by the government of Kenya and the African Development Bank, at an initial cost of KSh2.3 billion.[9][10] Construction is ongoing, with commercial commissioning, expected in December 2019.[11] As of August 2024, the work on the Kenyan section of this line was stalled at about 50 percent at the 400kV level due to contractor issues.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Senelwa, Kennedy (16 May 2015). "African states to interconnect power grids". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ ESIAfrica (December 2016). "Women In Energy: Leader Immersed In Power Projects". ESI Africa Magazine (ESIAfrica). Retrieved 12 October 2017.
- ^ Wesonga, Nelson (22 June 2016). "Plan to export Karuma excess power on". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ "Rwanda to import 30 MW of electricity from Kenya in 2015". Reuters. 10 December 2014. Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ Christabel Ligami (31 October 2015). "Kenya to sell power to Uganda". The EastAfrican. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ NELSAP (2015). "Mainstreaming Local Community Stakeholder Participation And In The NELSAP Sub Regional Hydro-Power And Interconnection Projects" (PDF). Entebbe, Uganda: The Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP). Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ "Opening up regional power markets will cut prices". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. 6 May 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ a b Brian Ambani (1 August 2024). "Kenya's delay frustrates regional power line plan". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Wasuna, Brian (15 May 2016). "Spanish firm fights to retain Sh2.3bn power deal". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ Mutai, Edwin (23 March 2018). "Taxpayers set to lose Sh2.5bn on stalled job". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ KETRACO (29 October 2017). "Kenya Electricity Transmission Company: On-Going Projects". Nairobi: Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO). Retrieved 23 March 2018.