The first unit of the Karuma Hydropower Plant, the largest of its kind in Uganda, began generating electricity and successfully connected to the grid on March 22.
A view of the Karuma Hydropower Plant, the largest of its kind in Uganda [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Contracted by Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA), the project sits about 270 kilometers from Kampala, capital of the country.
With a total investment of nearly $1.69 billion, the project includes construction of the hydropower plant and supporting power transmission lines. Its huge underground tunnel makes the project the world's 14th-largest underground hydropower plant.
The unit installed capacity of the project is designed to be 100 megawatts and the total installed capacity will be 600 MW.
The 400-kilovolt power transmission line will run for 379 kilometers, a record in the country in terms of power transmission distance.
Operation of the first generator unit is expected to improve the total power generation from 1,278 to 1,378 MW.
The plant is a model of cooperation between China and Uganda under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Once fully operational, it is expected to help reduce consumption of about 1.31 million metric tons of standard coal and cut down emissions of carbon dioxide by 3.48 million tons annually, which is equivalent to planting 1.5 million trees.
As power output increases, power price in the country is expected to lower by 17.5 percent.
The project will be a stable power supply source for Uganda and neighboring countries and will power economic and social development with green energy in affected regions.
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
