The German Development Bank and French Development Agency –KFW and AFD respectively- together with the government of Uganda have now signed an agreement to make financing available for the construction works of the Muzizi power dam. This means that construction works are expected early 2018. The 45MW power dam is expected to be ready in 2021.
According to financing agreements that The Infrastructure Magazine has seen, KFW will provide US$42.6 million (Ushs 149 billion) as concessional loan, and a further US$5.3 million (Ushs 18.5 billion) in grants. The French Development Agency (AFD) on its part will provide US$47.9 (UShs 167.5 billion) in concessional loans. The Government of Uganda will provide US$21.3 million (UShs 74.5 billion) in equity counter fund.
Muzizi power dam is to be constructed on River Muzizi, upstream of Lake Albert in Kibaale district, also touching the districts of Kyenjojo, Kabarole and Ntoroko.
Once completed the dam will contribute another 45MW of electricity to the national grid, and potentially save the country about 123, 000 metric tones of carbon emissions from thermo-power generated from diesel.
According to Uganda Electricity Generation Company (UEGCL), the main client on behalf of the government of Uganda, the works on the dam , a diversion hydroelectric project has a gross head of 460 m and a discharge of approx.12 m³/s. The works consists of: access roads, operator’s housing, infrastructure, concrete weir structure and reservoir; 3 to 4 km long concrete headrace channel (a buried pipe and a tunnel/shaft are alternatives under consideration); Surge bay / surge chamber; approx. 1km steel penstock, diameter approx. 2 m; Powerhouse containing 2 to 3 Pelton turbine/generator sets and tailrace channel; a high voltage switchyard and 6 km transmission line
and a balance of Plant.
In August 2015, the government of Uganda selected an Austrian Engineering firm, ILF Consulting Engineers to undertake the designs for the dam and to supervise construction.
