ENTEBBE.
The government of Uganda has set a target of producing 1,000 megawatts (MW) of nuclear energy by 2031 to boost its struggling energy sector dogged by erratic power supply .
According to Energy and Mineral Development minister , Ms Ruth Nankabirwa, the initial 1,000MW of nuclear power is part of the 8,400MW the country will be generating from the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) project at Kasaato Hill, Buyanja Sub-county, Buyende District .
“By 2031, we would like to see the initial 1,000MW. For the 8,400MW in Buyende, we will start with 1,000MW,” she said on the sidelines of a meeting where the government and South Korea-based firm Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) Company Ltd signed a contract for site evaluation of the Buyende NPP project in Entebbe on Tuesday
She explained that they settled for the initial 1,000 MW out of the plant’s capacity of 8,400MW because evacuating all power to the national grid at once will cause its collapse.
“It is like the 2,000MW plant in Tanzania; not all the units were commissioned at once — they commissioned a few units according to the consumption capacity.” the minister said
Ms Nankabirwa said the signed contract will enable KHNP to move to the site in Buyende, after which the real development kicks off .
“This assessment is a preliminary prerequisite to prepare ourselves — to look at the site and ensure that it has been well assessed,” she explained.
She added that afterward, a feasibility study will be drawn up, which will include compensation and a resettlement action plan, among other components.
Mr Lim Seung-Yeol, Vice President of KHNP, said that through this latest contract signing, his organisation hopes to become “a strong and reliable partner” in Uganda’s quest to become a nuclear-operating nation and achieve its ambitious vision to build 24 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power plants.
Uganda’s journey to nuclear energy production started last November after the government announced Currie Consultants Limited (CCL) as the consultancy for the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) of the project
Uganda has consistently reiterated its commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology to meet its developmental goals across multiple sectors, including health, agriculture, industry, water management, and electricity generation.
However, the long-term goal is to develop a 52,481MW electricity generation capacity to meet future energy demand, with 24,000MW expected to come from nuclear power — including 8,400MW from the Buyende NPP project.
Three other nuclear energy plants are also expected to be established in Nakasongola District NPP project (7,200MW), Kiruhura District NPP project (4,800MW), and Lamwo District NPP project (4,000MW).