BY LUSEKELO PHILEMON
4th January 2012
Ministers responsible for energy in the East African Community bloc are expected to meet by the end of this month to discuss a regional power master plan as part of implementation of some of the directives issued by the heads of state summit held in Bujumbura, Burundi, towards the end of last year.
During the well-attended summit, the heads of state directed the EAC secretariat to hold a meeting for addressing power shortages in the region.
According to the arrangements, the meeting is set to bring together high-ranking officials from the regional regulatory authorities and private sector power producers.
The heads of state, in their communiqué, expressed concerns over the unprecedented power supply in the region, which has been there for almost a decade.
It is anticipated that the ministers will discuss regional priorities in terms of power generation and transmission in line with the EAC power master plan and agree on fundraising initiatives.
The gathering is also expected to develop a framework that will enable regional governments and the private sector to invest in energy generation projects.
The power shortages in 2011 plunged the East African region into darkness, slowing business growth and the regional economy. Power blues show one of East Africa’s perennial problems: the region has never had enough power in the first place - in Kenya, for example, only 48 per cent of urban and 4 per cent rural households are connected to the national grid.
A slight drop in water levels of hydropower dams leads to serious power shortages.
In Tanzania, a 12-hour power cut schedule began in June, when a fall in water levels in Mtera dam in Iringa region forced the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) to resort to power rationing. Industrial production dropped considerably and some industries suspended their production.
The EAC council of ministers had directed the secretariat to fast-track the establishment of the EAC power pool by June 2012 to enable power sharing within the region.
The EAC earmarked several priority projects that were critical for ensuring regional interconnectivity and enhancing power generation. For example, Singida-Arusha-Nairobi 400KV interconnection is expected to be completed by 2014.
EAC secretary general Dr Richard Sezibera said a feasibility study and preparation of tender documents for a 400KV-transmission line through Singida, Arusha and Nairobi would cost USD 3 million.
The Bujagali 250MW project is under construction and the project is expected to be commissioned in the course of this year. The cost of the project is USD 116 million.
The 220KV transmission line between Uganda and Rwanda funded by AfDB will cost USD 57 million, according to the EAC boss.
A 220KV-transmission line between Rwanda and Burundi will cost USD 20 million and is expected to be completed by 2014.
The Rusumo-Nyakanazi 220KV, Rusumo-Kigali 220kKV interconnection and Rusumo-Bujumbura 220KV interconnection will be completed by 2015.
The 2,100MW Stienglers Gorge hydro-power project is expected to materialise in 2017, while Kiwira Coal Plant in Tanzania with a capacity to generate 200MW will become operational in 2014.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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