Engineers
constructing the 600MW Karuma hydropower dam in Kiryandongo District have
successfully conducted the first phase of tests on key installations at the
facility.
Mr Li Ji,
the deputy manager of Sinohydro Corporation Ltd, which is undertaking the
construction works, said tests had been conducted on the intake, radial and
spillway gates, including some turbines.
“The
confirmatory tests push the project to 95% completion status. At our current
work pace, we expect all the works to be complete by December, the
commissioning deadline,” he said.
Preliminary
tests on key equipment started at the end of July until late last month.
The $1.7
billion power plant was initially expected to be commissioned in December 2018
but due to some challenges, it was pushed to December this year.
Works on
the outgoing line yard and switch-yard (GIS) are all complete as well as the
transmission lines (Karuma-Lira and Karuma-Kawanda). Works on the Karuma-Olwiyo
installation line are 98% complete, according to the contractor. The contractor
said currently, the overall physical progress of the project stands at 95%,
with all the civil works inside the powerhouse, dam’s intake and outfall
concrete works complete except the ecological ladder.
Bottom of Form
According
to the project owner, the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited
(UEGCL), construction of the fish ladder (a non-overflow section) is currently
ongoing. The section enables fish and other aquatic life to move freely
upstream to feed and reproduce.
Andrew
Kamagara, an engineer at Sinohydro, said a team of Ugandan engineers is being
trained to manage the project so that upon its commissioning, they are ready to
assume responsibilities of operations and maintenance once the contractor
leaves.
He,
however, decried the continuous theft of equipment at the site.
“But
due to several managerial discussions, several strategies, including
installation of more CCTV cameras, have been issued and many have been arrested
and prosecuted,” he added.
Status. The Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd (UEGCL) has indicated the Chinese firm constructing the Karuma hydro-power project in Kiryandongo District will hand over the project in December as per the contract deadline.https://allafrica.com/stories/201909050750.html
