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Masaka, Uganda | URN | The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has embarked on major upgrade of its network infrastructure in the Greater Masaka region, to improve reliability of electricity supply to its clients.
Michael Kabanda, the Central Southwestern UEDCL regional Manager reveals that after a technical assessment of their capacity, the government allocated them resources to upgrade their network and other supply installations such that they can appropriately respond to apparent demand for electricity.
He says that government has already allocated one million US dollars (approximately Ushs 3.6 billion), to finance three major projects for the upgrade of key power distribution networks serving the greater Masaka.
The funds are part of the USD 638million loan government secured from the World Bank, to support activities for realization of the National Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which primarily aims at expanding excess to power.
Kabanda explains that the project involves reconfiguration of the existing main power transmission line linking Kirumba power substation in Masaka city to Kimwanyi substation in Lwengo district, remodeling of Nyendo-Bukakata power line linking to Kalangala district, and upgrading of conductors along the Masaka Central and Masaka West main power distribution lines.
He says the new lines have been the missing link towards ensuring stable supply of power and streamlining of the load within the greater Masaka power distribution area.
Kabanda observes that some of the distribution lines had outlived their design and overstretched the grid capacity, given the ever-increasing load in area.
He adds that upon completion of the project, the sub region will have two main power transmission network that links directly to the source of power, which will eventually address the problem of recurrent blackouts.
Joseph Kalungi, the greater Masaka region Energy Special Rapporteur for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, says the project has come an opportune time when the demand for electricity is steadily increasing in the area, which requires more reliable supply infrastructure.
He indicates that the project is going to help expand access to the electricity in the area, which is also going to contribute greatly to economic growth in different areas.
