Uganda’s Grid-Connected Solar Portfolio Increases
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Uganda’s Solar Energy production has increased following the addition of 10 MWp to the national grid, with the commissioning of the Bufulubi Power Plant in Mayuge District on 6th June 2019. The Country’s grid-connected Solar PhotoVoltaic portfolio now stands at 50 MW. The Bufulubi Power Plant is the fourth grid-connected Solar Plant commissioned in Uganda in a span of three years after the 10 MWp Access Solar Plant in Soroti District, the 10 MWp Tororo Solar North Plant in Tororo District, and the 20 MWp Kabulasoke Solar Plant in Gomba District commissioned in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Located in Bufulubi Village, Mayuge District, the Solar plant was developed at an estimated cost of US$11 Million, by Emerging Power Uganda Limited with support from Tryba Energy.
The plant possesses unique and innovative solar tracking technology and has capacity to produce 20,592 MWh annually, equivalent to an annual electricity consumption of over 30,000 households.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mr. Edward Iruura, the Director Financial Services, who represented Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, the Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Regulatory Authority, indicated that commissioning of the Bufulubi plant had pushed Uganda’s Installed Generation Capacity to 1,179 MW, noting that the Government’s focus had shifted to growing demand to absorb the abundant electricity, acceleration of access through programs such as the Electricity Connections Policy, implementation of regional interconnection projects, among other programs.
The ceremony was witnessed by stakeholders that included representatives of Mayuge District Local Government, the Katikiro of Busoga Kingdom, Umeme Limited and residents of Bufulubi Village. Mr. Omar Bongo, the LC V Chairperson of Mayuge District in his remarks emphasized the need for electrification of communities that neighbor power projects.