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Geothermal power could be large part of Uganda’s energy future

Geothermal power could be large part of Uganda’s energy future Geothermal Sites of Uganda (source: Uganda Ministry of Energy)
Alexander Richter 12 Oct 2017

With ambitious electrification plans, Uganda looks at geothermal development to fuel this growth and estimates a geothermal power generation potential of 1,500 MW.

At a recent event in Uganda, the country has reported plans to double its electricity output by 2019. The country’s current installed power generation capacity is at 950 MW, mostly by hydro power.

There are large hydro power projects under construction, as well as smaller hydro projects.

“In the next two years, we shall double our current capacity which is at about 950mw. If we generate that power and want it to reach the end users who are industries and our homes, both in cities, towns and trading centers, we must have the transmission networks upgraded so that it is able to transmit huge volumes of electricity,” said Uganda’s Energy Minister Irene Muloni

The country has set itself an ambitious target to increase the electrification from currently 22% to 100% of the population, providing everyone in the country access to electricity.

To achieve this target, Uganda is working on a variety of feasibility studies to assess “the potential that is in there, costs and the resultant tariff for cheap electricity that can support wide spread industrialization to create jobs for the youth and to enable people improve their way of life hence transforming the country into a middle income economy.”

Uganda therefore is also working on legislative reforms to help attract investments into its mining sector.

There are currently eight exploration licenses for geothermal projects in the country and the potential of geothermal in the country is estimated at 1,500 MW.

Source: AllAfrica, NewVision