Name of the Project
Isimba hydropower project (HPP).

Location
The project is located in Isimba, on the Victoria Nile river, in the Kamuli district of Uganda.

Project Owner/s
The project is being developed by the Uganda Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, including the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), through a bilateral agreement with China.

Project Description
The project involves the construction of the 183.2 MW Isimba hydropower plant.

The project will extend over about 1 160 ha and will comprise a concrete gravity dam, a clay-core rock fill dam, a spillway, a power house, electromechanical equipment, switching stations and auxiliary power transmission works.

The concrete dam will consist of a reservoir retaining structure in front of the erection bay, while the rock dam will provide storage for emergency gates and stop logs.

The powerhouse structure will feature four 45.8 MW Kaplan turbines.

The project is expected to generate 1 039 GWh/y of electricity and increase the country’s total electric capacity by 23%.

The project includes the construction of a 33 kV power line from Kayunga to the project site.

Other works will include the construction of a road across the Victoria Nile river to connect the Kayunga and Kamuli districts.

Potential Job Creation
The project’s construction is expected to create about 1 000 jobs.

Capital Expenditure
The project is estimated at $567.7-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The project broke ground in 2013 and was completed by the end of March 2019.

Latest Developments
The project has been commissioned.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
China International Water & Electric Corporation (engineering, procurement, and construction), Geotech Solutions (site supplementary geological investigation, drilling and rock grouting works), Energy Infratech (supervision consultant), Fichtner and Norplan joint venture (feasibility study and tender documents for the Isimba HPP and the transmission line to Bujagali) and Kagga & Partners (subconsultant to the joint venture).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
UEGCL, tel +256 312 372165, fax +256 414251057 or email info@uegcl.co.ug.