Kanungu Hydroelectric Power Station

Kanungu Power Station is a 6.6 megawatts (8,900 hp) run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station on the Ishasha River in Uganda.[1] The station is sometimes referred to as the Ishasha Power Station.[2][3]

Kanungu Hydroelectric Power Station
Map of Uganda showing the location of Kanungu.
Kanungu Hydroelectric Power Station (Africa)
Kanungu Hydroelectric Power Station (Earth)
CountryUganda
LocationKanungu, Kanungu District
Coordinates00°52′53″S 29°40′14″E
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Opening date18 March 2011
Owner(s)Eco Power Private Limited
Operator(s)Eco Power Private Limited
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsIshasha River
Commission date18 March 2011
Installed capacity6.6 megawatts (8,900 hp)

Location

The power station is in the Kanyantorogo sub-county of Kanungu District in southwestern Uganda, about 34 kilometres (21 mi) by road from the district headquarters in the town of Kanungu, although the straight air distance is only about 12 kilometres (7 mi).[4] The geographical coordinates of the power station are: 0°52'53.0"S, 29°40'14.0"E (Latitude:-0.881389; Longitude:29.670556).[5]

The dam and weir on the Ishasha River are 500 metres (1,600 ft) downstream from the boundary of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.[5] A 1,140 metres (3,740 ft) penstock takes water downstream to the twin-Francis turbine power station,[5] for a rated head of 91 metres (299 ft). A tailrace then takes water from the power station and returns it to the Ishasha River. Provision has been made for an open-pipe flow of 250 liters per second into the section of the river between the dam and the tailrace to ensure that local fish species are not adversely affected.[6] A 7 kilometres (4.3 mi), 33 kiloVolt transmission line connects the power station to the national grid.[6]

History

The power station was constructed by Eco Power Uganda Limited, a subsidiary of Eco Power Holdings Limited of Sri-Lanka. Construction was completed in March 2011.[3] The power plant was technically commissioned on 18 March 2011.[3] Political commissioning was performed on 22 November 2011.[1] The plant is expected to support development of industries and stimulate other areas of investment in Kanungu and the surrounding rural areas, including parts of the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1]

Construction costs

The estimated cost of the dam and power plant is approximately UGX:40 billion (about US$14 million). Funding was provided by three Sri-Lankan financial institutions: National Development Bank of Sri-Lanka, Hatton National Bank, and Commercial Bank of Sri-Lanka.[1]

See also

References
  1. Rumanzi, Perez (22 November 2011). "Kanungu mini-hydro dam starts work today amid power outages". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  2. Oluka, Benon Herbert (6 April 2010). "Uganda's energy relief still a long way". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  3. Baraire, Patson (20 March 2011). "Ishasha dam boosts grid supply". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  4. Globefeed.com (9 June 2018). "Distance between Ntungamo, Kanungu, Uganda and Kanungu, Uganda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  5. Google (9 June 2018). "Location of Kanungu Hydroelectric Power Station, Kanungu District, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  6. UNFCC (8 October 2014). "Ishasha 6.6 MW Small Hydropower Project: Project design document" (PDF). New York City: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). Retrieved 9 June 2018.
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