The Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) mobilized a grant of Euros 13.1 million from Invest International on behalf of the Dutch government 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 Government of Uganda and the ORIO Infrastructure fund managed by Invest International.
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 Thursday 25th July 2024, UECCC signed the Electromechanical Works Contract with Ossberger GmbH. The Acting Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands – Mr. Joost van Ettro presided over the signing ceremony held at UECCC offices.
Ossberger GmbH is a Germany based company founded in 1911 that specializes in the manufacture of Cross-flow turbines. It has a reputation for producing high-quality, reliable equipment and has a long history of supplying cross flow turbines to hydro power projects around the world. In addition to its manufacturing capabilities, Ossberger also provides installation, commissioning, and maintenance services for its equipment.
