Ibrahim Kasita
19 August 2007
Kampala — MORE power will be generated specifically for the Commonwealth meeting (CHOGM), energy ministry sources have said.
They said the ministry was negotiating with the Directorate of Water Development (DWD) to allow engineers operating the Owen Falls Dam power stations to discharge sufficient water from Lake Victoria to run all the turbines.
"More water releases resulting into more hydro-power productivity will prevent loadshedding during the meeting," the source said.
Energy state minister Simon D'Ujanga confirmed that there would be more electricity in November.
"We usually meet with the Directorate of Water Development and have discussions on a monthly basis. We analyse Lake Victoria's water levels and adjust the generation capacity accordingly," D'Ujanga explained.
"There is a possibility of increasing hydro-power generation after thorough negotiations. The additional 50MW thermal plant at Mutundwe will be commissioned and will provide more electricity."
There were fears that hydro-power production is unlikely to increase because the lake levels have not risen even with the recent heavy rains.
The two power stations (Kiira and Nalubaale) generate 145MW from 905 cubic metres per second of water discharge. This is inadequate to run all the turbines, which have installed capacity of 380MW.
DWD prefers 750 cubic metres per second to be discharged for power generation in order to maintain sustainable Lake Victoria water use.
In February 2006, the water outflow was reduced from over 1,000 cubic metres to 850. This was reduced to 750 cubic metres in August. Early this year, the outflow was increased to 905.
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