| Karuma Power Station | |
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| Country | Uganda |
| Location | Karuma |
| Coordinates | |
| Status | Under Construction (Starts May 2012) |
| Commission date | 2018 (Expected) |
| Power station information | |
| Primary fuel | Hydropower |
| Power generation information | |
| Maximum capacity | 600 MW |
Karuma Power Station is a 600MW hydroelectric power project to be constructed in Uganda.[1]
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The Power Station will be located at Karuma, on the Victoria Nile, at the present location of the Karuma Falls. This location is adjacent to the location where the Masindi-Gulu Highway, crosses the river Nile. It is approximately 110 kilometres (68 mi), by road, northeast of Masindi[2] and approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi), by road, south of Gulu.[3] The coordinates of Karuma Power Station are:02 14 35N, 32 14 42E (Latitude:2.2430; Longitude:32.2450).
As far back as 1995, the Uganda Government had plans to construct a hydropower station at the site of the Karuma Falls. Initially, Norpak, a Norwegian Energy Company was awarded the contract to perform the feasibility study and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the dam. The World Bank promised to make a loan available to pay for the construction.[4] The feasibility study report was made available in October 2006.[5] Bids for construction of the project went out in November 2006. Initially, the plan was to build a 200-250 MW power station.[6]
In 2009, the plans were redrawn, calling for a much larger project of 750 MW.[7] Sometime during 2009, Norpak, the original proposed developers of the smaller 200MW project, pulled out of negotiations with the Uganda Government, citing the Global Recession of 2008/2009.[8] The Uganda Government then contracted Energy Infratech Pvt. Limited, to perform a new Feasibility Study and a new Environmental Impact Assessment, given the new larger power station that is now planned.[9] Construction is now expected to start in May 2012 and last five (6) years.[10] The Government of Uganda will fund the project, without outside help, if need be.
In July 2011, media reports indicated that the maxinmum capacity of the project had been scaled back to 600MW from 750MW. Some International development partners wanted to scale back even further, to a maximum capacity of 400 to 450MW.[11]
In January 2011, Energy Infratech Private Limited, the Indian company contracted to perform the feasibility study for the project, published their report. The estimated total cost for the dam and power plant is approximately US$2.2 billion. That figure includes the cost needed to build a transmission line from Karuma to a location where the power will be integrated into the national power grid.[12][13] Available reports now indicate that construction will begin in in May 2012.[14]
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