The Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) mobilized a grant of Euros 13.1 million from Invest International on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands towards development of the ORIO mini hydro project for rural electrification.
The ORIO mini hydro power project entails construction of nine (09) mini hydro power plants (combined capacity of 6.7 MW) and construction of a local distribution network (288 KM) in the project area as well as connecting up-to 71,081 households and 2,300 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the project area (Kasese, Bushenyi, Mitooma, Hoima, Kabarole, Bunyangabu and Bundibugyo Districts) as a single project.
The small plants provide a captive, stable and reliable source of power for rural electrification in the project area, which mitigates the challenges of wheeling power over long distances. The basis for selecting the project sites was high social return in terms of rural electrification and not commercial viability.
The project is co-financed by the ORIO infrastructure program from Invest International, the state-owned funding organisation of the Dutch Government.
UECCC has procured two contractors to implement the project. HNAC Technology Co. Ltd from the People’s Republic of China will implement the Civil and Hydro-mechanical works and Ossberger GmbH from Germany will design, manufacture, supply and install the Electro-mechanical works of the Project.
On Wednesday 7th August 2024, UECCC signed the Civil and Hydromechanical Works Contract with HNAC Technology Co. Ltd of the People’s Republic of China. The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) and UECCC Board Member–Eng. Irene Bateebe and the Acting Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – Mr. Joost van Ettro presided over the signing ceremony held at UECCC offices.
HNAC Technology Co. Ltd is a large, listed group company in China that provides overall solutions for electric power generation, water conservancy, and environmental protection. HNAC has thirty (30) years of project implementation experience, with comprehensive service capabilities such as survey and design, electromechanical and hydro mechanical equipment manufacturing, hydropower project implementation, intelligent operation and maintenance, and investment and financing.
