Uganda to get transmission boost (Image source: Adobe Stock)

UK-based Gridworks has has signed two agreements with the Ugandan government that will enable its Amari transmission project to begin construction in the coming weeks

It follows an Implementation Agreement with Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and a Transmission Services Agreement with the national utility, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL).

It means Amari will become the first independent transmission project (ITP) on the continent to move into the construction phase, marking a major milestone in the adoption of private sector funding models for transmission infrastructure in Africa.

“This is a decisive step that will allow the Amari transmission project to move into construction,” said Gridworks’ CEO Chris Flavin.

“By prioritising strategic transmission infrastructure, the government is laying the foundations for reliable power supply, industrial growth, and long-term economic development. We now look forward to starting construction in the coming weeks and to delivering this important project.”

The US$50mn project will upgrade four high voltage electricity substations at key points on Uganda’s grid:

Tororo 220kV station, in eastern Uganda, close to the Kenyan border.

Nkenda 132kV station, in the West, at the intended high voltage interconnection point to DRC.

Mbarara North 132kV station and

Mbarara South 220kV station in western Uganda.

According to Gridworks, a subsidiary of British International Investment (BII), the UK government’s development finance institution, the project will improve the supply of electricity to industrial users in line with Uganda’s plans to improve the competitiveness of its industry, particularly the manufacturing sector.

Amari will also allow the uptake of more renewable energy onto the grid and provide capacity to support future regional interconnection with Uganda’s neighbours.

Once completed, it will support Uganda’s growing electricity demand, enable the evacuation of current and future generation capacity, and contribute to lower system losses and improved power quality across the network.

“As UETCL, we view this partnership as strategic and transformative and we look forward to the effective implementation and tangible improvements to the national grid,” said Richard Matsiko, CEO of UETCL.

As a pilot for private sector transmission in Uganda, the project has supported the creation by the government of a regulatory framework equipped to attract finance for future grid investment.

There is a growing trend of African governments beginning to work with the private sector to develop and fund critical electricity grid infrastructure.

Several countries have initiated private transmission projects or regulatory reforms designed to allow private finance to flow into the sector.

Ruth Nankabirwa, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, called the Amari project a “strategic pillar” within the government’s long-term agenda to modernise the nation’s power network.

“By strengthening transmission infrastructure, we are enabling reliable power supply for industrial growth, regional power trade, and inclusive socio-economic transformation,” she said.

“Our partnership with Gridworks reflects our commitment to mobilising sustainable private capital and expertise to accelerate delivery of priority energy investments.”

Gridworks has a portfolio of further ITPs in development, including Chimuara-Nacala (Phase II & III), a US$450mn, 460km high voltage transmission line connecting the central and northern regions of Mozambique; and Mbale-Bulambuli, a project building 80km of high-voltage lines and two new substations in eastern Uganda.

Most recently, it announced an agreement with the Ethiopian government to develop two large scale transmission projects, Degehabur–Kebridehar and Hurso–Ayisha, covering over 400km and with a combined value of around US$400mn.

The Gridworks portfolio also includes Moyi Power, a greenfield, solar-powered utility that will provide electricity to a million people in three cities in DRC; and distributed utility companies, Sustainable Power Solutions and Anzana Electric Group.

“Transmission is a vital part of electrifying the African continent,” said Chris Chijiutomi, managing director and head of Africa at BII.

He said the Amari announcement “demonstrates the role that development capital can play in connecting millions of families and businesses to reliable and affordable power.”

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GE powers South Africa’s first landfill gas projects.

South Africa’s first landfill methane gas-to-energy facilities are set to be commissioned at two sites near Durban on the country’s east coast, marking a milestone in the nation’s renewable energy journey

Powered by GE Energy’s Jenbacher generator sets, the projects are scheduled to come online in early 2007 within the eThekwini municipal region.

Located at the La Mercy and Mariannhill landfill sites, the plants will act as flagship renewable energy projects, supplying electricity directly into the municipal grid. In addition to power generation, revenue generated from the sale of carbon credits, a critical factor in ensuring the projects’ financial viability, will be partially allocated toward local community development initiatives.

GE supplied two containerised generator sets to project contractor Envitech Solutions (Pty) Ltd, based in Benoni, South Africa. Envitech was responsible for installing both the Jenbacher units and the associated gas extraction systems on behalf of Durban Solid Waste, the municipal entity that manages waste disposal for the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and owns both landfill sites.

At the La Mercy landfill, a Jenbacher JGC 312 GS-L.L. generator set was installed, while the Mariannhill site was equipped with a JGC 320 GS-L.L. unit. The JGC 320 delivers an electrical output of 1,064 kW, while the JGC 312 produces 526 kW. Electrical efficiencies for the units are 40.8% and 39.1%, respectively.

By capturing and converting landfill methane into usable energy, the projects significantly reduce the volume of gas released into the atmosphere. Methane has a global warming potential 21 times greater than carbon dioxide. Beyond greenhouse gas reduction, the initiative is also expected to deliver environmental benefits through improved air quality and reduced risks to groundwater.

"GE Energy is honored to provide the gas engine equipment for South Africa's inaugural landfill energy projects and to support the country's strong commitment to expanding the production and use of renewable energy," said Prady Iyyanki, CEO of GE Energy's Jenbacher gas engine business.

In 2006, GE confirmed that its Jenbacher landfill gas technology, alongside its biogas and coal mine gas solutions, had been certified under the company’s ecomagination programme. The initiative reflects GE’s focus on developing cleaner and more efficient energy solutions, lowering emissions and supporting access to sustainable water resources.

Looking ahead, GE maintains a strong presence in South Africa through Agaricus Trading cc, its regional sales and service partner for Jenbacher gas engine equipment.

GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engine business is a global leader in gas-fuelled reciprocating engines, packaged generator sets and cogeneration systems for power generation. These engines operate on natural gas as well as a wide range of waste-derived gases, including landfill gas.

New All-in-One energy storage system targets residential and small C&I users with scalable, intelligent performance. (Image source: GoodWe)

Building on the strong market reception of its single-phase ESA Series, GoodWe has unveiled a new three-phase All-in-One energy solution tailored for residential and small commercial and industrial (C&I) applications

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The system supports the parallel connection of up to 12 battery modules, delivering a maximum storage capacity of 108kWh, while up to six systems can operate in parallel in both on-grid and off-grid modes. With a scalable range of 5–30kW / 5–108kWh, the ESA three-phase solution is well suited to both homes and small C&I environments.

Higher output, lower overall cost

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With 1C charge and discharge capability, the system supports faster energy cycling, allowing the same power output to be achieved using fewer battery modules. Support for 21A per string PV input and up to 200% PV oversizing further enhances solar harvesting, helping users increase self-consumption, shorten payback periods, and maintain a stable power supply during peak demand or low-sunlight conditions.

Intelligent energy management for greater value

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Safe, quiet, and dependable operation

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The system is built for dependable performance in demanding conditions, featuring an integrated heating function for stable operation down to -20°C and an IP66 rating for resistance to dust and water. Smart fan cooling keeps operational noise below 35dB, while ultra-fast backup switching of less than 4ms ensures uninterrupted power during grid outages.

From single-phase to three-phase applications, and from residential to small C&I use, the GoodWe ESA All-in-One series continues to evolve. With its focus on flexible scalability, intelligent cost efficiency, and robust safety, the new three-phase solution sets a new benchmark for energy storage across diverse scenarios.

Looking ahead, GoodWe remains committed to advancing innovation in the renewable energy sector, delivering smarter and more sustainable energy solutions worldwide, and supporting the transition toward a greener, low-carbon energy future.