In a significant stride towards the completion of the Karuma Hydropower Dam, the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd (UEGCL) has announced the successful synchronization of the dam’s sixth and final turbine to the national grid. This achievement marks the culmination of operational tests for all generating units at the dam, positioning the project closer to its commissioning phase.
On February 6, UEGCL shared that the synchronization of unit 5 was effectively completed, highlighting this as the final generating unit to pass the operational readiness tests. “The first unit had already successfully completed its trial run and was connected to the grid on March 21, 2023,” UEGCL stated in a recent update.
However, UEGCL spokesperson Enock Kusasira clarified that while the synchronization tests were successful, the dam’s overall construction is yet to be finalized for commissioning. “Synchronization involves a series of intricate steps, including the installation and testing of turbines among other components, to ensure they can efficiently contribute power to the national grid,” Kusasira explained.
As of January 24, during a visit by the dam’s Project Steering Committee (PSC) for their routine technical inspection, five out of the six units had undergone successful test and trial runs. Kusasira emphasized that the dam is already contributing 200MW of trial power to the grid, a significant step forward, albeit the plant has not been officially commissioned.
“This trial power is being consumed, even though the plant is not yet officially generating at full capacity,” he stated, refuting reports that the dam was fully operational.
Synchronization is deemed crucial for verifying the capability of the units to supply power to the grid, yet additional tests are pending before the dam can be officially commissioned. The Karuma Hydroelectric Station, set to be Uganda’s largest power-generating facility, is expected to be ready for commissioning by September 2024.
The construction of the 600MW station began in December 2013 and was initially pegged at $1.7 billion, but costs have since escalated to approximately $2.2 billion. Despite delays, the project aims to significantly boost Uganda’s installed capacity to at least 2,000 MW upon completion.
Moreover, in March 2023, the Karuma Interconnection Project (KIP) was commissioned by Uganda’s energy minister, Ruth Nankabirwa, paving the way for electricity distribution from the Karuma Dam. The KIP encompasses several key infrastructures, including substations and transmission lines, facilitating the efficient distribution of power generated by the dam.
The successful completion and operationalization of the Karuma Hydropower Dam and its associated infrastructure are poised to play a pivotal role in meeting Uganda’s growing energy needs and driving sustainable development across the country.
