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Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda Form Electricity Sharing Pool Senior East Africa Researcher GLCSS The energy crisis affecting the three member states of the East African Community (EAC) has led them to create a regional pool worth US$2bn to boost access to electricity and bring down rising power tariffs in the region. Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania are suffering continued power inconsistencies due to prolonged drought that has reduced water levels on Lake Victoria leading to low production and high power tariffs. According to Dr Nyamajeje Weggoro, the project's coordinator, the pool is created in line with the planned regional economic and political cooperation that recognizes the need for harnessing resources based on comparative cost advantages and economies of scale. "The new plan linking Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania by 2012, will be executed in phases, and the World Bank will be the lead agency to assist in soliciting funds for the project," he said, stressing that the main thrust of the plan is to connect the three national power grids and to generate energy through hydroelectric, thermal and geothermal resources. In early April this year, the Great Lakes Centre for Strategic Studies (GLCSS) reported that parts of Uganda were experiencing 24-hour load shedding. It is reported that presently, load shedding stands at more than 100 megawatts (MW) daily due to the decline in water levels at the Owen Falls Dam and the delay in construction of the proposed hydroelectric dam at Bujagali dam. However, power consumers are now receiving only up to 12 hours of electricity per day. The short fall of power was also a result of economic growth driving increased demand, and the low rainfall in recent months which reduced the country’s hydropower generating capacity. This has been a heavy blow to a donor dependent Ugandan economy. In a comprehensive plan to address these power shortages, the government has set aside a budget for thermal generators and for an energy fund to build two hydro-dams on the river Nile. In the latest development, Uganda’s President Museveni this week gave a green light to a South African company, Infrastructural Development Finance Ltd., to construct the Karuma power station in 36 weeks. The firm is to co-develop the power plant together with Norwegian investors, working with the Ugandan government. The Infrastructural Development Finance LTD, in the past has undertaken similar hydro power projects in Congo Brazzaville and the Central African Republic. Kenya has also taken a similar move to avert a possible power crisis. This week the government resolved to construct a 100 megawatts (MW)/11kV temporary power station and commissioned 2.5 billion Shs for emergency. The project is to be run by an independent power producer and is expected to increase the country’s installed capacity and guarantee adequate energy to support industries. In GLCSS Weekly News and Analysis 7 April 2006, GLCSS reported that the government awarded Aggreko International, a UK-based company, an emergency power contract to provide 100MW in an effort to provide uninterrupted power. This comes after the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) Acting Managing Director Nderutu warned that Kenyans are expected to pay more for power due to oil adjustment costs which are directly passed to the consumer and emphasizing that, as more customers continue to increase each year, extra megawatts will be needed. "If Kenya Power and Lighting Company were to connect 150,000 new customers each year, there would be an increase in demand as these customers would need an extra150MW," said Nderitu. Like the rest of the developing nations, Kenya is unable to reach optimum levels of power production due to the fact that some of its installations are old and need replacement. However, it has now embarked on various new projects such as the completion of the Japanese-funded Sondu Miriu hydropower project expected to be completed by next year. This will at least add 80MW to the national grid. But the country requires 180 MW spare capacities at least to avoid a power crisis in case the construction of new projects is undertaken. Kenya is now encouraging thermal power generation saying that the changing weather patterns globally pose challenges to hydropower generation. In Tanzania, the government announced this week that domestic power consumers will have to go without power for 12 hours, five days week save for essential service providers such as hospitals. Addressing a press conference in Dar es salaam early in the week, Minister for Energy and Minerals Ibrahim Msabaha said that the load shedding to be affected during peak consumption time had been extended to fives days a week from the current schedule following a breakdown of equipment at the Songas power generation plant. Songas plant manager David Murphy announced that UGT6 turbine tripped off line at a base load due to HP rotor speeding and the shutdown could lead to loss of 40 MW. The machine is to be shipped to Netherlands for two months of repair and could cost around US$1 million. During power rationing, Songas has been providing 50 per cent of all electricity consumed in the country. This is most likely going to worsen the demand for power in Tanzania which currently stands at around 550 MW. Meanwhile, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TAESCO) in its amended power rationing schedule indicated that power supply to domestic consumers will only be made available throughout the day on Fridays and Sundays. “After a second thought, TANESCO now announces that the two days which will not be included in power rationing timetable will be Friday and Sunday,” the statement reads in part. The statement further clarifies that the rest of the five days during which power supply will be switched off are Monday up to Thursday, as well as Saturdays. Electricity will be switched off at 0700 hours in the morning and restored at 0700 hrs in the evenings the statement continues. GLCSS forecasts that the power rationing will best be felt by informal sector entrepreneurs such as restaurants, hair saloons, artisans, and cyber café operators who depend on power to produce products or offer services. Although the breakdown at Songas is going to worsen the current power crisis, water diversion from main rivers for farm use has been the major factor in reducing the flow of water down stream to the hydro power stations. Therefore it is vital that diversified power generation, especially renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal are emphasized by the East African Community. The Great Lakes Centre for Strategic Studies is a London-based think tank. Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat! posted by GLCSS at 12:52 AM |
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