Serengeti Energy recently reported that its 7.8 MW Nyamwamba II small hydropower project reached its commercial operation date on March 17, 2022.
The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) awarded the completed powerplant its commercial operation date letter after testing and commissioning were successfully completed.
Construction began in October 2019 and was faced with several challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project’s total investment cost is around $22 million.
The balance of plant/civil EPC contractor is SAEMS Hydro of Sri Lanka, Andritz of Germany was the electromechanical water-to-wire contractor, and Zutari was the owners’ engineer.
The Nyamwamba II project is part of the government’s efforts to use renewable energy to strengthen and diversify the electricity infrastructure. The new capacity will support the local government to reach its 100% renewable energy target for Kasese district.
The Regional Liquidity Support Facility — an initiative by German state-owned development bank KfW and the African Trade Insurance Agency to mitigate short-term liquidity risks on independent power projects in Africa — is supporting the project and documentation will be executed shortly.
“Access to reliable and affordable electricity is a key prerequisite for economic development. The Nyamwamba II project demonstrates our strong commitment to renewable energy development in Uganda,” said Chris Bale, chief executive officer of Serengeti Energy. “We would like to appreciate the Government of Uganda, specifically the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda (MEMO) and UETCL, for their continued support in the development and construction of the project. A special appreciation as well to our shareholders KfW, Norfund and NDF that have been pivotal in making this project possible.”
This is Serengeti Energy’s second hydro project on the Nyamwamba River in Kasese, western Uganda, and the company’s third hydro project to become operational in the country.
Serengeti Energy (previously known as rAREH) is an independent power producer developing, constructing and operating renewable energy projects up to 50 MW of capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Serengeti Energy provides early-stage development capital and long-term equity investment, together with expertise and experience in the development, financing, construction and operation of power plants.
The Serengeti team manages a portfolio of seven operational hydro plants and two projects under construction. In addition, the company is developing a significant number of further projects that will serve markets in Africa with affordable and clean power.
Serengeti Energy is backed its shareholders: KfW; Norfund, the Norwegian state-owned bilateral development bank; and the Nordic Development Fund, a development finance institution owned by five Scandinavian governments.
