SWEDISH FIRM WINS A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT TO STUDY THE FUTURE OF ELECTRICTY INTERCONNECTIONS, TRANSMISSIONS AND SUPPLIES IN EAST AFRICA.
Business News By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.
SWECO, a Swedish. Multinational company has won euro 1,227,000 {about Ushs 4 billion} to conduct a feasibility study on the potential and proposals for the interconnection of electricity between Uganda and Tanzania.
The deal, according to Radio Uganda monitored here, is aimed at reducing the power shortage in the region, and is being carried out on behalf of the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company limited{UETCL}.
An impeccable source in Kampala, says the project would help the expansion plan for power generation and transmission system of Kenya,Tanzania and Uganda.
Sweco will also carry out a study to establish the existing and committed generation and transmission system, and determine the least cost of expanding the power system to meet the demand growth of the three countries. It will further be required to strengthen the interconnection links where it is appropriate.
This will entail studying load forecasting, assessment of hydropower/geothermal resources, develop supply reliability or criteria, examine interconnections, look for alternatives, identify transmission corridor, system analyses, least extension and economic analysis.
The head of the UETCL, Erias Kiyemba, confirmed the deal over the weekend. Experts, however, argue that by interconnecting the power grids around Lake Victoria, it is possible to reduce the shortage and ensure a more stable electricity supply in the region.
According to other reports, Sweco is already involved in similar assignments and contracts in other African countries, which included Botswana, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania.
“Over the past 50 years, Sweco has worked in many African countries to improve access to electricity in urban and rural areas,” Sweco president, Eva Nygren said.
“There is still a serious lack of electricity in the East African region, a problem that is creating obstacles for commercial and industrial development and progress”, he added.
According to the existing East African Power Master Plan, the interconnection of the electricity power lines will create two rings, one around Lake Victoria that will link Tanzania ,Kenya ,Uganda and Rwanda. Another interconnection power line will be around Lake Kivu and Edwards and will also link DR Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
Among the schemes approved are 249km interconnection that will carry 270kv between eastern Uganda town of Jinja and Lessos in the North Rift region of Kenya. The other is the 220kv, Mbarara{Uganda} to Birembe {Rwanda} interconnection, which is 172km apart.
The East African region is currently characterized by very high power prices, insufficient and unreliable supply of power, and very low rate of electricification.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
I know 99.9% of citizens of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania living in rural areas or slums near big cities who do not have electricity. I also know most people living in Kisumu and some other small towns in Kenya including people in the slums of Nairobi who do not have electricity to help flash the toilets leave alone boil water.
So, who are the beneficiaries of these multimillion dollar feasibility contract studies awarded to Swedish firm and pockets will be picked to pay it?
I know of thousands of people in Kisumu who get electric and water bills without receiving electricity or water! Poor people in Africa are being leeched to the bone by foreigners who own lavish structures powered by electrical projects being built at their expense.
Why can’t African leaders fight for Africans for a change!