The Masaka–Mutukula–Mwanza High Voltage Power Line is a proposed high voltage electricity power line, connecting the high voltage substation at Masaka, in Masaka District, in the Central Region of Uganda, to another high voltage substation at Mwanza, in Mwanza Region, in the Republic of Tanzania.[1]
| Masaka–Mutukula–Mwanza High Voltage Power Line | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Uganda & Tanzania |
| Coordinates | 00°59′51″S 31°24′52″E / 0.99750°S 31.41444°E |
| General direction | North to South |
| From | Masaka, Uganda |
| Passes through | Mutukula, Bukoba |
| To | Mwanza, Tanzania |
| Ownership information | |
| Owner | Government of Uganda & Government of Tanzania |
| Partners | East African Community |
| Operator | Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited & Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited |
| Construction information | |
| Construction started | TBD |
| Expected | TBD |
| Technical information | |
| Type of current | AC |
| Total length | 582 km (362 mi) |
| AC voltage | 400kV |
| No. of circuits | 2 |
Location
editThe power line starts at the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) 220kV substation in Masaka. The line travels in a general southwesterly direction to Mutukula, at the international border with Tanzania. From Mutukula, the power line continues in a general southeasterly direction to Bukoba, on the western shores of Lake Victoria. From Bukoba, the line loops around the lake, and continues eastwards to end at Mwanza. The Ugandan portion of the power line measures 82 kilometres (51 mi).[2] The distance travelled by the power line in Tanzania is approximately 500 kilometres (311 mi).[3]
Overview
editThis power line is intended to enable Uganda and Tanzania to share electric energy. As part of the energy-sharing protocols of the East African Community, and Nile Basin Initiative, Uganda plans to increase energy sales to Tanzania, when Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station comes online.[4][5] The construction of this high voltage power line has been planned as far back as 2011.[6]
Construction
editAs of January 2018, the feasibility study, environmental impact assessment and population resettlement plans were complete. Plans to construct the power line were underway, under the auspices of the East African Community.[2] In February 2019, Uganda's junior energy minister, Simon D'Ujanga announced that funds had been secured to upgrade this power line to 400kV.[7]
In May 2022 during meetings held in Entebbe, Uganda between Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his guest, Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, an MOU was signed for the two countries to source funds and build this power line at 400kV. In the EastAfrican newspaper the power line is referred to as the Masaka–Mutukula–Kyaka–Nyakanazi–Mwanza High Voltage Power Line.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ ERA (5 January 2018). "Regional Power Transmission Projects" (PDF). Kampala: Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA). Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ a b UETCL (5 January 2018). "Projects Under Feasibility Study". Kampala: Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL). Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ "Distance between Mutukula, Kagera Region, Tanzania and Mwanza, Mwanza Region, Tanzania" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Stephen Otage and Nelson Wesonga (4 October 2017). "Uganda to export electricity to South Sudan, DR Congo". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ Pascal Kwesiga (2 November 2017). "How River Nile is powering 10 nations". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ Nyakato, Joyce (1 December 2011). "UETCL buys and markets power–UETCL 10th Anniversary supplement". New Vision. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ Kasemiire, Christine (25 February 2019). "EA must upgrade to ease power trade, says Energy minister". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ Julius Barigaba (17 May 2022). "Inside Uganda, Tanzania power lines deal". The East African. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 17 May 2022.