Nyamwamba II Hydroelectric Power Station

Nyamwamba II Hydroelectric Power Station, is a 7.8 megawatts mini-hydroelectric power station, that was commercially commissioned in March 2022 in Uganda.[1] The run of river mini-hydroelectric installation is owned and was developed, between October 2019 and March 2022, by Serengeti Energy Limited, a Kenyan independent power producer (IPP), which was formerly called responsAbility Renewable Energy Holding (rAREH).[2] The energy generated here is sold directly to the Ugandan electricity transmission parastatal company, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA). The power is integrated into the Ugandan national electric grid.[1]

Not to be confused with Nyamwamba I Hydroelectric Power Station.

Nyamwamba II Hydroelectric Power Station
Nyamwamba II Hydroelectric Power Station is located in Uganda
Nyamwamba II Hydroelectric Power Station
Map of Uganda showing the location of
Nyamwamba II Power Station
CountryUganda
LocationKilembe, Kasese District
Coordinates00°13′56″N 29°58′51″E
StatusOperational
Construction beganOctober 2019
Opening dateMarch 2022
Construction costUS$22 million
Owner(s)Serengeti Energy
Dam and spillways
Type of damRun of river
ImpoundsNyamwamba River
Reservoir
Normal elevation1,680 m (5,510 ft)
Operator(s)Serengeti Energy Limited
TypeRun-of-the-river
Turbines2
Installed capacity7.8 MW (10,500 hp)

Location

The power station is located in the village of Kilembe, across the River Nyamwamba, in Kasese District in the Western Region of Uganda. This is in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nyamwamba II HPP straddles the Nyamwamba River, upstream of the 9.2 megawatts Nyamwamba I Hydroelectric Power Station, also owned an operated by Serengeti Energy Limited.[3]

Overview

The power station is a run of the river mini-hydropower installation, with installed capacity of 7.8 megawatts. The power station is owned by Serengeti Energy Limited, an IPP based in Nairobi, Kenya.[1]

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for Nyamwamba II HPP was a consortium comprising South Asia Energy Management Systems LLC (SAEMS), based in Sri Lanka, who were responsible for civil works, and Andritz AG of Austria, who were responsible supplying and installing the electric generators and other electromechanical installations. Zutari Engneering, based in South Arica, was the Owner's Engineer.[1][2]

Construction costs and funding

The construction costs are reported to be US$22 million. The table below illustrates the sources of funding for this renewable energy project.[1]

Financing Sources For Nyamwamba II Hydroelectric Power Station
Rank Name of Lender Notes
1Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF)[1]
2Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF)[1]
3African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI)[1]
4Serengeti Energy Limited (SEL)[1]

In May 2022, Afrik21.africa reported that Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), lent Serengeti Energy US$10.6 million, to be repaid over 17 years. As a result of that loan, Serengeti was able to retire the construction loans, leaving EAIF as the sole lender to the project.[4]

Construction timetable

Construction started in October 2019 and commercial commissioning was effected on 17 March 2022.[1][2][5]

Other considerations

Nyamwamba II HPP created 205 jobs during the construction phase and employs 25 people during the operational phase. It provides electricity to an estimated 161,000 Ugandan customers. The green energy it produces helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 18,000 tonnes annually.[1][2]

See also

References
  1. Jean Marie Takouleu (6 April 2022). "Uganda: Nyamwamba II hydroelectric power plant goes into commercial operation". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  2. Stacy Fiehler (30 November 2019). "rAREH starts construction on greenfield Ugandan hydropower plant". Responsability.com. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  3. Nasi Hako (6 April 2022). "7.8MW hydropower project in Uganda to supply clean energy". ESI Africa. Cape Town, South Africa. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  4. Jean Marie Takouleu (31 May 2022). "Uganda: EAIF lends $10.6m for Nyamwamba II hydropower plant". Arik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  5. Water Power and Dam Construction (6 April 2022). "Nyamwamba II hydro plant operational in Uganda". WaterPowerMagazine.com. Dartford, Kent, United Kingdom. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
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