Eskom Uganda has officially handed over the operations of Nalubaale and Kiira hydropower plants to the government as the firm’s contract comes to an end on March 31, 2023.
The power firm handed over the dams to officials from Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) and the Ministry of Energy at a function held in Jinja City on Monday, March 27, 2023.
Eskom has managed the Nalubaale (Owen Falls Dam) and Kiira HPP since April 1, 2003.
The two power stations supply about 67% of the country’s electrical energy and remain the assets of the Uganda government in terms of a 2003 concession and assignment agreement.
Thozam Gangi, the Eskom Managing Director, said they handed over more efficient power generation facilities.
“I am happy to report that Eskom is handing over a healthy plant to the government of Uganda. The plant’s availability stands at 99%. Nalubaale HPP has been enhanced and can run for the next 20 years, while Kiira HPP has 50 years in it,” Thozam said.
Dr. Eng. Harrison Mutikanga, CEO of Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), thanked Eskom for maintaining and running the plant and keeping it healthy.
He added that UEGCL will officially start managing and running the plant on Saturday, April 1, 2023.
UEGCL has completed its recruitment process for the key staff who will take over the operations of the plant after the transfer date, and over 96% of the Eskom staff have been taken over at the same or better terms than their current terms.
Kiira and Nalubaale power plants contribute 380 MW to the country’s current generation capacity of 1378.1 MW.
It’s expected that this will rise to 2000 MW once Karuma is commissioned in the near future.
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