Chinese construction firm Camc has been awarded a contract by Ugandan government to build four substations, at a cost of about US$100mn
The substations are being planned in Luzira, Namanve, Mukono and Iganga industrial parks.
Mark Namungo, senior power analyst at Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), said, “We have contracted Camc to construct these substations. We are convinced that they will deliver up-to-standard work."
He stated that funding for this project has been secured through a loan supplied by the Chinese Exim Bank, adding that 85 per cent of the money will be spent on the construction of the four mega power sub-stations and the balance will be used for resettlement.
“We know some buildings and pieces of land may be affected during the construction of the transmission lines. The lines will pass through open spaces not on top of buildings, thus payments for resettlements,” Namungo noted.
The project is expected to reduce power losses due to an improved transmission system from the current 33KV to the anticipated 132KV voltage level.
The scope of services includes –
• Construction of a 15km 132kV double circuit metallic transmission line from the proposed Namanve South Industrial substation to the proposed Luzira Industrial Park substation, and construction of the 132/33kV, 3x32/40MVA Luzira Industrial Park.
• Construction of an eight km of 132kV double circuit metallic transmission line from the existing 132kV Nalubaale-Namanve transmission line to the proposed Mukono Industrial Park substation and construction of 132/33kV, 3x40/63MVA Mukono Industrial Park.
• Construction of a 10km of 132kV double circuit metallic transmission line from existing 132kV Bujagali-Tororo transmission line to the proposed Iganga Industrial Park substation and construction of 132/33kV, 2x32/40MVA Iganga Industrial Park.
• Construction of a five km, 132kV double circuit metallic transmission line from the existing 132/33kV Namanve substation and 132kV Nalubaale-Namanve transmission line to the proposed Namanve South Industrial Park substation and construction of 132/33kV, 3x40/63MVA Namanve South Industrial Park.
Yang Guo Liang, Camc project manager, revealed that the project will be completed within 30 months.
Liang also added that for this project, the company will establish gas-insulated switch substations as they consume little space compared to air insulated substations.
