Uganda will export power surplus generated by the Karuma hydropower dam. “When complete, the Karuma power station will generate 600MW of power that will be distributed locally and exported to neighbouring countries”, stated Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited in a release.

The $1.6 billion plant should be completed by 2018. It will boost Uganda’s energy park, which is highly under-exploited.

President Museveni, in his most recent speech to the nation, in May 2016, announced that out of the country’s output 100 MW was not used.

Uganda presently generates 685 MW for a demand of 550 MW. This trend should be accentuated after the implementation of the 183 MW Isimba hydropower dam, in 2017.

The current situation is due to high cost of energy in the country, paired with the country’s tight power network.

Gwladys Johnson