H.E YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI COMMISSIONS THE 132kV KOLE-GULU-NEBBI-ARUA TRANSMISSION PROJECT IN NEBBI DISTRICT ON 3RD AUGUST 2024.
H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda has commissioned the 132kV Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua transmission line which will connect the West Nile region to the national transmission grid.
“Previously, the West Nile region experienced poor quality power supply and frequent outages because the available supply could not meet the demand. The line that was commissioned will increase the supply to the region.” Said Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa – Minister of Energy and Mineral Development.
This project will not only connect West Nile to the grid but it will also reinforce supply to the entire region coupled with the evacuation of electricity from the Karuma, Agago/Achwa, Nyagak I and Nyagak III hydropower plants to meet the region’s unserved demand and enable an environment for investment and industrialisation. This will in turn greatly contribute to the socio-economic development of the region.
“As of July 2024, UETCL’s total grid length stood at 4,962.4 km with a total of 42 substations and a transformation capacity of 6,945.5 MVA which includes the 132/33kV Kole – Gulu – Nebbi – Arua transmission line and associated substations.” Said Mr Kwame Ejalu, the UETCL Board chairperson.
The World Bank, through the International Development Association (IDA), financed the construction of the transmission line infrastructure through a loan of USD 100 million while the Government of Uganda funded the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) at the cost of 31.3 billion Uganda Shillings.
The design, supply and installation of the 132kV Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua transmission line was implemented by KEC International Limited while the design, supply and installation of the 132kV Kole Switching Station and 132kV Gulu Substations with associated 33kV Interconnection Lines was implemented by the Joint Venture of AVIC International Holding Corporation and Central Southern China Electric Power Design Institute Co. Ltd (China).
UETCL as an implementing government company is committed to being the backbone of Uganda’s development. With the continued support of the Government of Uganda and development partners, the company will make great strides towards fulfilling the goals of Vision 2040 and National Development Plan III.
UETCL is responsible for the bulk purchase of electricity from power generators and the bulk sale of electricity to power distributors through high-voltage transmission lines. The company operates the High Voltage Transmission Grid (HVTG) above 33kV including the load dispatch system at the National Control Centre at lugogo.