Residents of Gulu, Nwoya and parts of Northern Uganda could soon get relief from the erratic electricity power supply characterized by constant power blackouts.
The relief comes from a move by a private firm to undertake studies to construct a hydro power electricity generation plant on Rivers Aswa and Ayago. PAC, an Italian engineering firm has been conducting technical feasibility studies for the last two years.
Engineer Jimmy Omona, a consultant with Uganda Electricity Generation Company, says that findings from the studies indicate that the two rivers have substantial potential to generate electricity to a tune of 112 mega watts, from a total of 5 plants that would be constructed at different points on the rivers.
Omona who previously worked at a Plant Superintendent at Owen Falls Dam generation plant, said they were in the process to conduct studies on all Uganda’s Rivers to establish their potential to generate electricity.
The development has generated excitement from among the residents of Gulu over the prospects of a power generation plant nearer home.
While the Aswa plant would be established in Gulu, the proposed Ayago power plant is set to be constructed in Nwoya district. The falls where the sites are expected to be set up are on the River Nile approximately 40 kilometers westward of the proposed Karuma Hydro Electric Power Plant site.
Omona explained that he together with a team from the Italian firm have already met the Uganda Electricity Regulatory Authority, the minister for Energy and other relevant authorities who he said have expressed approval of the project.
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Ricarldo Paulini, the Chief Executive Officer of the Italian firm, has said they would embark on another study to establish the Environmental Impact Assessment soon before any meaningful construction could begin. He said they have also submitted the documents and findings of previous studies to government authorities for approval to pave way for subsequent progress to the next stages.
Lyandro Komakech, a resident of Aswa is hoping the studies could be concluded fast so that actual construction and generation of power could begin. Meanwhile, Christine Arac, a resident of Dwere village on the banks of Aswa River is concerned about the fate of the people like who are living close to the proposed site of the plant. However, Paulini says all the concerns would be addressed before any work could begin.
The power generation, if completed would provide a huge boost for development to the population in the region who currently has limited access to power. The resultant power supply could also help to establish other sources of income generating activities such as manufacturing to the residents who are mostly engaged in subsistence farming for local markets.
Uganda generally faces an acute electricity supply shortage with Nalubale/Kiira power stations as the main power generators despite the huge potential the country has.
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