Solomon Muyita and Pauline Kairu
28 August 2008
Construction of the multi-million dollar Bujagali Hydro Power Project in Jinja is three months ahead of schedule, Daily Monitor has learnt.
At least 35 per cent implementation of the mega US$ 682 million project has been covered, over one year after its launch in July 2007.
Construction works at the dam started in December last year. The dam is located 10 kilometres north of the source. "We're already done with the excavations and we are now constructing foundations for the five 50-mega-watt power turbines," said Bill Groth, the resident construction manager for Bujagali Energy Limited (Bel), the company constructing and managing the project.
Mr Groth said the project has moved at a faster rate "as a result of a US$75 million bridge loan that was advanced to Bel by the government".
"Proceeds from the loan were used to finance engineering design, detailed site investigation, construction of permanent civil works, a camp site and offices, as well as procurement of equipment.
The project being executed by an Italian firm, Salini Construction is at its peak, and is currently employing at least over 1,200 people operating in day and night shifts.
"At least 1,100 of these are Ugandans hired in different capacities both by Salini and Bel. The remaining 110 are expatriates, mainly from Europe, Asia, Latin America, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania," said Mr Groth.
Works were however hampered in July when Salini discovered a "highly weathered rock", a weaker zone of a natural rock which was intended to form part of the solid foundation for the powerhouse.
According to Mr Groth, an American expatriate, preliminary geological designs done at the exploratory stage of the project site showed that the rock was hard and firm enough for the foundation.
"Much as that was not part of the original plan, it had to be quickly replaced with 8,000 cubic metres of a concrete wall before any further construction could continue. "You don't take chances with this kind of project," he explained.
Cost implications of the extra job and impact on the overall project are however, yet to be known as Salini is still doing evaluations.
The hydroelectric power project meant to generate a total of 250MW would be the third large dam in the country after Kiira and Nalubaale dams at the Owen Falls dam. It is hoped that once complete the new plant will bring an end to the biting load shedding in most parts of the country.
"The access road across the dam is intended for the service of the Bujagali complex but may be adopted, if the need arose, to accommodate public traffic," said Kenneth Kaheru, the deputy construction manager with Bel.
Daily Monitor has learnt that the Ministry of Works is currently reviewing the integrity of the Nalubaale crossing. The Bujagali project was originally started by the AES Nile Power in 1994, but the company faced a number of problems that included funding constraints causing it to pullout in 2003.
Bel is a joint-venture comprising of Industrial Promotion Services/AKFED, Sithe Global Power (USA) and the Uganda Government is implementing the project.
According to the arrangement Bel will own the project for 30 years after construction, while strictly selling the power to UETCL.
Salini subcontracted Alstom of France for the electromechanical works and Fichtner of Germany for the overall engineering works.
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