Ituka Solar Power Station Explained

Ituka Solar Power Station
Coordinates:2.7722°N 31.0389°W
Country:Uganda
Status:UC
Construction Began:August 2024[1]
Commissioned:Q3 2025 Expected
Cost:US$19+ million
Owner:Amea Solar Power
Operator:Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited
Solar Type:PV
Ps Annual Generation:53.94 GWh

The Ituka Solar Power Station, is a solar power plant under construction in Uganda. The power station is under development by AMEA Power, an independent power producer (IPP), domiciled in the United Arab Emirates.[2] [3]

Location

The power station is located in Ombaci Village, Uleppi Subcounty, Madi Okollo District, approximately 40km (30miles), by road, southeast of the city center.[4]

Overview

The construction site measures 52ha. The design calls for a ground-mounted photo-voltaic solar power station with generation capacity of 24 megawatts.[1] The power will be sold directly to the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) for integration in the national electricity grid. A 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) has been signed between the developers and UETCL to guide the sale and purchase of electricity between the two.[2] [3] Construction started in August 2024 and commercial commissioning is anticipated in 2025.[1] [2]

Included in the project is the construction of a medium voltage 33/132 kV transformer switchyard, through which the power generated here will be directed to the 132 kV Lira–Gulu–Nebbi–Arua High Voltage Power Line, for evacuation.[5]

Developers

The power station is owned by AMEA Power, a renewable energy IPP with focus on Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Amea Power created a subsidiary that it owns 100 percent called Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited, a special purpose vehicle company specifically set up to develop, build and operate this solar power station.[2] [3]

Costs and funding

The cost of construction has not been disclosed as of December 2023. The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), a subsidiary of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) has committed to lend US$19 million towards the development of this power station. The PIGD is funded by donor countries: United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany and the World Bank Group.[6]

In December 2023, the African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), announced its intention to support this development through its Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF). ATIDI will provide payment guarantees for the benefit of the project on behalf of UETCL. The insurance policy will cover up to six months' worth of revenue for the IPP and be in place for an initial duration of 15 years. The insurance policy makes the investment project more bankable and more secure.[7] [8]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Amea Power Begins Construction of 24 MW Plant In West Nile . . 8 August 2024 . The Independent . 28 November 2024 . Kampala, Uganda.
  2. Web site: Power plant profile: Amea West Nile Solar PV Park, Uganda . Power Technology . 14 November 2023 . GlobalData . 16 December 2023 . New York City.
  3. Web site: West Nile to Get Solar Project . . 6 December 2023 . Michael Wambi . 16 December 2023 . Kampala, Uganda.
  4. Web site: AMEA Power announces groundbreaking of 24 MWp Solar PV Project in Uganda . 2 August 2024 . AMEA Power . Amea Power . 28 November 2024 . Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
  5. Web site: 24 MWp Solar Power Plant: Major Step Toward Electrification in West Nile Sub-Region . 12 August 2024 . Watchdog Uganda . Mourice Muhoozi . 28 November 2024 . Kampala, Uganda.
  6. Web site: Uganda: 20 MW Solar Project Designed To Serve Regions With Clean Energy . ESI-Africa . 6 December 2023 . Nasi Hako . 16 December 2023 . Cape Town, South Africa.
  7. Web site: ATIDI partners with Dubai-based AMEA Power on 20 MW Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited Solar Project . PML Daily . 13 December 2023 . Nelson Mandela . 16 December 2023 . Kampala, Uganda.
  8. Web site: Construct Africa . Uganda Signs Deals For Solar Projects . 12 December 2023 . A. Sneha . 16 December 2023 . AL Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.