Ituka Solar Power Station

Solar farm in Uganda

03°03′38″N 30°56′31″E / 3.06056°N 30.94194°E / 3.06056; 30.94194StatusProposedConstruction began2024 ExpectedCommission date2025 ExpectedConstruction costUS$19+ millionOwner(s)Amea Solar PowerOperator(s)Ituka West Nile Uganda LimitedSolar farm TypeFlat-panel PVPower generationNameplate capacity20 megawatts (27,000 hp)

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The Ituka Solar Power Station, is a planned 20 megawatts (27,000 hp) solar power plant in Uganda. The power station is under development by AMEA Power, an independent power producer (IPP), domiciled in the United Arab Emirates.^[1]^[2]

Location

The power station is located in the community of Ombaci, a suburb of Arua City, approximately 6 kilometres (4 mi), by road, northeast of the city center.^[2]^[3]

Overview

The design calls for a ground-mounted photo-voltaic solar power station with generation capacity of 20 megawatts. The power will be sold directly to the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) for integration in the national electricity grid. A 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) has been signed between the developers and UETCL to guide the sale and purchase of electricity between the two.^[1]^[2] Construction is expected to start in 2024 and commercial commissioning is anticipated in 2025.^[1]

Developers

The power station is owned by AMEA Power, a renewable energy IPP with focus on Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Amea Power created a subsidiary that it owns 100 percent called Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited, a special purpose vehicle company specifically set up to develop, build and operate this solar power station.^[1]^[2]

Costs and funding

The cost of construction has not been disclosed as of December 2023. The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), a subsidiary of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) has committed to lend US$19 million towards the development of this power station. The PIGD is funded by donor countries: United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany and the World Bank Group.^[4]

In December 2023, the African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), announced its intention to support this development through its Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF). ATIDI will provide payment guarantees for the benefit of the project on behalf of UETCL. The insurance policy will cover up to six months' worth of revenue for the IPP and be in place for an initial duration of 15 years. The insurance policy makes the investment project more bankable and more secure.^[5]^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d GlobalData (14 November 2023). "Power plant profile: Amea West Nile Solar PV Park, Uganda". Power Technology. New York City. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Michael Wambi (6 December 2023). "West Nile to Get Solar Project". Uganda Radio Network. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
^ Google (16 December 2023). "Road Distance Between Arua City Center And Ombaci, Arua, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
^ Nasi Hako (6 December 2023). "Uganda: 20 MW Solar Project Designed To Serve Regions With Clean Energy". ESI-Africa. Cape Town, South Africa. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
^ Nelson Mandela (13 December 2023). "ATIDI partners with Dubai-based AMEA Power on 20 MW Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited Solar Project". PML Daily. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
^ A. Sneha (12 December 2023). "Uganda Signs Deals For Solar Projects". Construct Africa. AL Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Retrieved 16 December 2023.