First Unit from Uganda’s Bujagali Power Plant to Start Up Late Next Year May 25, 2009
Posted by ismailimail in Africa, Fund for Economic Development, Uganda.
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22 May 2009 Thomas Pearmain Global Insight Daily Analysis
Uganda’s Bujagali hydroelectric power (HEP) project could start generating 50MW from its first unit before the end of next year, as the facility is brought online in a unit-by-unit commissioning programme. Domestic newspaper New Vision reports that the project is 30% complete and Glenn Gaydar, the project director stating that excavation of the entire left channel and construction of the power house had been completed. Work has now started on the spillway and the Bujagali sub-station.
Significance: Construction of the Bujagali HEP got under way in June 2007 and at full capacity it should be able to generate a maximum capacity of 250MW. A control building and machine hall will house the five 50-MW generating units and the project should be fully commissioned in 2011. Bujagali Energy Ltd (BEL), a consortium of the Aga Khan’s Industrial Promotions Services and the U.S.-based company Sithe, is developing the project.
Italy’s Salini Construttori was awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction contract and Salini subcontracted Alstom, a French firm, and Fischtner, a German company, to design and execute the works. Currently, low water levels on Lake Victoria and a lack of rainfall have led to predictions that the generation potential of the Bujagali project could fall to 175MW. The project was given the go-ahead by the World Bank, which approved around US$360 million in loans for the project. The cost has now risen to nearly US$800 million, according to estimates.
http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2009/0 ... next-year/
BUJAGALI HYDROELECTRIC POWER PROJECT
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/696566
Bujagali cost not up - Aga Khan
Friday, 2nd October, 2009
By James Odomel
THE cost of Bujagali dam has not gone up, the leading co-sponsor, Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) of the Aga Khan Group, has clarified.
“The project cost was all along $860m. This comprises $568m in engineering procurement and construction cost and $292m in development, land, contingency and financing cost, including interest, among others,” said Kevin Kariuki of IPS in an interview with Saturday Vision.
He acknowledged that brittle rock was found instead of solid rock in a key area of the construction site, making it necessary to undertake redesign and remedial works. “The adverse ground conditions only became apparent following investigative drilling after dewatering of the river’s left channel.” However, he said, this would be addressed within the agreed project cost, using the contingency allowance.
On allegations that the power tariffs are likely to go up after Bujagali becomes operational, Kariuki explained that the final price is not determined by the Bujagali investors but by the Electricity Regulatory Authority.
“Power generation is only one of the inputs in the tariff formulation. There is also the transmission and distribution cost, as well as technical and commercial losses.” The latter is mainly as a result of theft.
“For generation, the price is actually coming down. The average wholesale tariff for Bujagali will be 6 to 6.5 cents per unit over the next 30 years, which is the contract period.”
In comparison, Aggreko, the generator of thermal power, charges 16 cents per unit before fuel, according to the Electricity Regulatory Authority website. Including fuel, thermal power comes to over 30 cents.
Still according to the ERA website, Jacobson charges 18.5 cents per unit for the generation of heavy fuel oil.
IPS rubbished allegations that Bujagali is the most expensive dam in the world.
“Comparing dams is absurd,” said Kariuki. “There are very many parameters to look at, among them the mode of financing – is it publicly or privately financed, the location of the project and therefore the proximity to raw materials, and the structures involved. Does it require a dam and if so, what type of dam is required – concrete, rock-fill or earth?”
He pointed out that Bujagali is the first privately financed power project in sub-Saharan Africa.
He also noted that the Ethiopian hydro-power project it was compared with did not entail the construction of a dam and instead utilised water from an upstream constructed earlier.
“You also look at the economies of scale – the larger the project the lower the cost per unit. Finally, you look at the time of construction. In 2006, when Bujagali was being procured, the cost of most materials was 200% higher than what it was in 2002.”
He pointed out that the assessment done by the lenders independent engineer had concluded that, given the prevailing market conditions, the Bujagali cost was “reasonable”.
The lenders for the project include the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and other European financing institutions comprising KfW/DEG bank of Germany, FMO of Holland and AFD/Proparco of France.
On recent statements of energy minister Hilary Onek calling Bujagali a bad project, Kariuki said: “I do not understand why the Government can say that the project is bad or overpriced when in actual fact, the Government approved the entire project, including project cost and terms of financing. Nothing has changed between now and then.”
Bujagali cost not up - Aga Khan
Friday, 2nd October, 2009
By James Odomel
THE cost of Bujagali dam has not gone up, the leading co-sponsor, Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) of the Aga Khan Group, has clarified.
“The project cost was all along $860m. This comprises $568m in engineering procurement and construction cost and $292m in development, land, contingency and financing cost, including interest, among others,” said Kevin Kariuki of IPS in an interview with Saturday Vision.
He acknowledged that brittle rock was found instead of solid rock in a key area of the construction site, making it necessary to undertake redesign and remedial works. “The adverse ground conditions only became apparent following investigative drilling after dewatering of the river’s left channel.” However, he said, this would be addressed within the agreed project cost, using the contingency allowance.
On allegations that the power tariffs are likely to go up after Bujagali becomes operational, Kariuki explained that the final price is not determined by the Bujagali investors but by the Electricity Regulatory Authority.
“Power generation is only one of the inputs in the tariff formulation. There is also the transmission and distribution cost, as well as technical and commercial losses.” The latter is mainly as a result of theft.
“For generation, the price is actually coming down. The average wholesale tariff for Bujagali will be 6 to 6.5 cents per unit over the next 30 years, which is the contract period.”
In comparison, Aggreko, the generator of thermal power, charges 16 cents per unit before fuel, according to the Electricity Regulatory Authority website. Including fuel, thermal power comes to over 30 cents.
Still according to the ERA website, Jacobson charges 18.5 cents per unit for the generation of heavy fuel oil.
IPS rubbished allegations that Bujagali is the most expensive dam in the world.
“Comparing dams is absurd,” said Kariuki. “There are very many parameters to look at, among them the mode of financing – is it publicly or privately financed, the location of the project and therefore the proximity to raw materials, and the structures involved. Does it require a dam and if so, what type of dam is required – concrete, rock-fill or earth?”
He pointed out that Bujagali is the first privately financed power project in sub-Saharan Africa.
He also noted that the Ethiopian hydro-power project it was compared with did not entail the construction of a dam and instead utilised water from an upstream constructed earlier.
“You also look at the economies of scale – the larger the project the lower the cost per unit. Finally, you look at the time of construction. In 2006, when Bujagali was being procured, the cost of most materials was 200% higher than what it was in 2002.”
He pointed out that the assessment done by the lenders independent engineer had concluded that, given the prevailing market conditions, the Bujagali cost was “reasonable”.
The lenders for the project include the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and other European financing institutions comprising KfW/DEG bank of Germany, FMO of Holland and AFD/Proparco of France.
On recent statements of energy minister Hilary Onek calling Bujagali a bad project, Kariuki said: “I do not understand why the Government can say that the project is bad or overpriced when in actual fact, the Government approved the entire project, including project cost and terms of financing. Nothing has changed between now and then.”
Bujagali dam to be ready next year
Friday, 12th March, 2010 E-mail article Print article
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/712732
Workers on the Bujagali dam which is scheduled for commissioning next year
By David Mugabe
THE Bujagali hydro-power project is expected to be ready next year, according to the project director of Bujagali Energy Limited. The first parts of the turbines were installed earlier this week and civil works on the power house, the overflow and the spill gates were in final stages when Saturday Vision visited the site.
“The exact date of commissioning will be announced by the Government but we are expecting it to be some time next year,” said project director Glenn Gaydar.
He said the procurement of the turbines, generators and other electrical appliances was 95% complete.
The project will be on schedule despite a low-quality rock found at the site, which forced the developers to remove it and replace it with an artificial rock made of concrete and steel.
The weak underground was only discovered after the flow of River Nile had been diverted and the western bank had been drained.
“You can’t see what is under the water. That is one of the risks with hydro-power projects,” explained Gaydar.
The contractor did not want to take any risks, the more as the rock was located just after the gated spillway. “There was a risk that the water, coming out with great force, would destroy the rock, create a hole and undermine the integrity of the dam,” he said.
Dozens of workers could be seen laying the concrete and steel slab, the size of almost two football pitches, where the rock had been removed.
Earlier, the workers cleaned every inch of the base with brushes to stop possible seepages, a tedious and time-consuming job.
Despite this setback, the project cost will remain within the contract sum, Gaydar said. “The cost will be covered by our contingency funds.”
Biggest project
The $860m project, which will generate 250 megawatts of electricity and put an end to load shedding, is the biggest project ever undertaken in Uganda.
The executer, Bujagali Energy Limited, is a consortium of American Sithe Global, Kenyan Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) and the Ugandan Government.
IPS is an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. The consortium put $190m into the project while the rest are loans, mainly from the World Bank Group, the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank.
The project employs 2,500 people who work around the clock in three shifts. The facility consists of a power station, housing five 50 megawatt turbine generators. The structure is 52 metres high and stretches 30 metres under the ground. The site has its own quarries and cement mixers. “We mix cement with ice to prevent the cement from heating up and cracking,” said spokesperson John Chihi. The cement is procured from Bamburi in Kenya while the steel is shipped in from Turkey.
Of the total number of workers, 2,200 are Ugandans. They are employed as welders, carpenters, concrete finishers, equipment operators and truck drivers.
The majority of them were recruited locally. “We were fortunate to find enough skilled labour locally since another hydro-power project was built in Jinja five years ago,” said Gaydar.
All the workers are equipped with life-saving gear, such as helmets, boots, fluorescent vests and ropes. Only one minor accident has been reported since the project started in August 2007.
Once completed, the power plant will come as a relief to businesses and industries that have been struggling with continuous power cuts in the past years.
Bujagali, located eight kilometers north of the existing Nalubaale and Kiira power plants, will generate double the amount of electricity using the same water.
Reliable and affordable power will make Uganda’s manufacturing industry more competitive in the region, creating more jobs and contributing to economic and social development.
But even before the project is complete, the communities displaced on either side of the river have been transformed.
Four villages on the eastern bank and four on the western bank, 34 families in all, had to be resettled because of the project.
Some 200 youth in the new village of Naminya are being trained in vocational skills, while village health teams were set up to sensitise the communities on malaria, diarrhea, and HIV/AIDS.
“We organised a health and hygiene competition among the households and the winners got goats and mosquito nets,” said Chihi.
Jinja district health officials say water-borne diseases like cholera, bilharzia, diarrhea and typhoid had been a common occurrence in this once remote neighborhood.
Hadija Kezala, who lives within walking distance from the project, won a cow, a box of washing soap and three mosquito nets for maintaining the cleanest home.
Besides uplifting the community, the contractor is also running an environmental programme. They reforested 440 hectares of land and trained people how to set up tree nurseries.
As for tourism, the Bujagali Falls will disappear but the rafting will continue. The rafters only have to start their journey further down the river. The water on the western bank will be turned into a recreational lake. “We just have to move the tour operators to the other side of the dam,” said Gaydar.
The mighty structure rising out of the drained river bed has disproved the skeptics who thought a project like Bujagali was not possible in Uganda.
Friday, 12th March, 2010 E-mail article Print article
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/712732
Workers on the Bujagali dam which is scheduled for commissioning next year
By David Mugabe
THE Bujagali hydro-power project is expected to be ready next year, according to the project director of Bujagali Energy Limited. The first parts of the turbines were installed earlier this week and civil works on the power house, the overflow and the spill gates were in final stages when Saturday Vision visited the site.
“The exact date of commissioning will be announced by the Government but we are expecting it to be some time next year,” said project director Glenn Gaydar.
He said the procurement of the turbines, generators and other electrical appliances was 95% complete.
The project will be on schedule despite a low-quality rock found at the site, which forced the developers to remove it and replace it with an artificial rock made of concrete and steel.
The weak underground was only discovered after the flow of River Nile had been diverted and the western bank had been drained.
“You can’t see what is under the water. That is one of the risks with hydro-power projects,” explained Gaydar.
The contractor did not want to take any risks, the more as the rock was located just after the gated spillway. “There was a risk that the water, coming out with great force, would destroy the rock, create a hole and undermine the integrity of the dam,” he said.
Dozens of workers could be seen laying the concrete and steel slab, the size of almost two football pitches, where the rock had been removed.
Earlier, the workers cleaned every inch of the base with brushes to stop possible seepages, a tedious and time-consuming job.
Despite this setback, the project cost will remain within the contract sum, Gaydar said. “The cost will be covered by our contingency funds.”
Biggest project
The $860m project, which will generate 250 megawatts of electricity and put an end to load shedding, is the biggest project ever undertaken in Uganda.
The executer, Bujagali Energy Limited, is a consortium of American Sithe Global, Kenyan Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) and the Ugandan Government.
IPS is an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. The consortium put $190m into the project while the rest are loans, mainly from the World Bank Group, the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank.
The project employs 2,500 people who work around the clock in three shifts. The facility consists of a power station, housing five 50 megawatt turbine generators. The structure is 52 metres high and stretches 30 metres under the ground. The site has its own quarries and cement mixers. “We mix cement with ice to prevent the cement from heating up and cracking,” said spokesperson John Chihi. The cement is procured from Bamburi in Kenya while the steel is shipped in from Turkey.
Of the total number of workers, 2,200 are Ugandans. They are employed as welders, carpenters, concrete finishers, equipment operators and truck drivers.
The majority of them were recruited locally. “We were fortunate to find enough skilled labour locally since another hydro-power project was built in Jinja five years ago,” said Gaydar.
All the workers are equipped with life-saving gear, such as helmets, boots, fluorescent vests and ropes. Only one minor accident has been reported since the project started in August 2007.
Once completed, the power plant will come as a relief to businesses and industries that have been struggling with continuous power cuts in the past years.
Bujagali, located eight kilometers north of the existing Nalubaale and Kiira power plants, will generate double the amount of electricity using the same water.
Reliable and affordable power will make Uganda’s manufacturing industry more competitive in the region, creating more jobs and contributing to economic and social development.
But even before the project is complete, the communities displaced on either side of the river have been transformed.
Four villages on the eastern bank and four on the western bank, 34 families in all, had to be resettled because of the project.
Some 200 youth in the new village of Naminya are being trained in vocational skills, while village health teams were set up to sensitise the communities on malaria, diarrhea, and HIV/AIDS.
“We organised a health and hygiene competition among the households and the winners got goats and mosquito nets,” said Chihi.
Jinja district health officials say water-borne diseases like cholera, bilharzia, diarrhea and typhoid had been a common occurrence in this once remote neighborhood.
Hadija Kezala, who lives within walking distance from the project, won a cow, a box of washing soap and three mosquito nets for maintaining the cleanest home.
Besides uplifting the community, the contractor is also running an environmental programme. They reforested 440 hectares of land and trained people how to set up tree nurseries.
As for tourism, the Bujagali Falls will disappear but the rafting will continue. The rafters only have to start their journey further down the river. The water on the western bank will be turned into a recreational lake. “We just have to move the tour operators to the other side of the dam,” said Gaydar.
The mighty structure rising out of the drained river bed has disproved the skeptics who thought a project like Bujagali was not possible in Uganda.
Bujagali power project on course
Aerial views of on-going work at Bujagali Hydro-power Project. COURTESY PHOTOS
http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Busin ... /loccij/-/
By Ismail Musa Ladu & Martin Luther Oketch (email the author)
Posted Tuesday, August 31 2010 at 00:00
On August 21, 2007 President Yoweri Museveni and the Aga Khan, Prince Karim al-Hussaini, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, laid the foundation stone for the Bujagali hydropower dam on the River Nile in a show of commitment to address Uganda’s energy deficit.
The 250 MW project, co-financed by the World Bank Group, is a major component of Uganda’s answer to the electricity supply gap that in recent years has made rolling blackouts a daily reality for Uganda’s residents, businesses and services.
Many Ugandans have kept on pondering as to when the project will be ready. However, the green light seems to be flashing.
The Bujagali Hydro-power Project will produce its maiden 50 megawatts after the completion of the first phase between August and September next year, the Project Director of Bujagali Energy Limited told Business Power last week.
Mr Glenn Gaydar told Business Power that the project is on course but before the other phases are rolled out, the success of the first phase must be evident.
“Between August and September next year we will have the first phase (with 50 megawatts) complete,” Mr Gaydar said adding: “We will then test it and see how it goes and another one will follow.”
The $860m project, which will generate 250 megawatts of electricity and ultimately bring an end to the rampant load shedding, has so far been the country’s biggest project. This project is expected to be complete by 2012.
It is anticipated that once commissioned in 2012, the 250 megawatt, run-of-the-river hydropower plant on the Victoria Nile, will re-use water flowing from two existing upstream facilities to generate electricity.
The additional power will increase supply to the national grid at the lowest cost compared to other power generation expansion options under Uganda’s energy sector strategy.
Continued shortage of electricity threatens Uganda’s macroeconomic performance. Only five per cent of the population has access to electricity, making it one of the lowest per capita energy consumption rates in the world.
Hospitals, schools, businesses, and residences suffer load shedding caused by these shortages, which have stunted Uganda’s economic growth by an estimated one per cent of the country’s gross domestic product.
To alleviate the energy shortage, Uganda has had to rely on thermal power, a more expensive source of energy generation that, in part, caused a significant increase in the price of electricity by roughly 100 per cent in 2006.
To improve on power supply, Uganda devised a strategy aimed at promoting an efficient power sector, one that would offer an increased role to the private sector for future development, provide adequate, reliable and least-cost power generation capacity to meet the population’s demand and increase the percentage of rural households with direct access to electricity in an effort to help revitalise rural development.
The country passed and implemented a new Electricity Act and established the Electricity Regulatory Authority; unbundled the state-owned electricity company into generation, transmission, and distribution agencies; conceded generation and distribution facilities to the private sector; established a Rural Electrification Agency and approved the establishment of a credit facility to support energy investments in rural areas.
The expected outcome of the Bujgali power project will also result into increased supply of improved air quality and jobs for Ugandans (app. 2,000 jobs at the peak of construction).
The executer of the project - Bujagali Energy Limited - is a consortium of American Sithe Global, Kenyan Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) and the Uganda government. IPS is an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development.
The consortium put $190 million into the project while the rest are loans, mainly from the World Bank Group, the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank.
Aerial views of on-going work at Bujagali Hydro-power Project. COURTESY PHOTOS
http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Busin ... /loccij/-/
By Ismail Musa Ladu & Martin Luther Oketch (email the author)
Posted Tuesday, August 31 2010 at 00:00
On August 21, 2007 President Yoweri Museveni and the Aga Khan, Prince Karim al-Hussaini, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, laid the foundation stone for the Bujagali hydropower dam on the River Nile in a show of commitment to address Uganda’s energy deficit.
The 250 MW project, co-financed by the World Bank Group, is a major component of Uganda’s answer to the electricity supply gap that in recent years has made rolling blackouts a daily reality for Uganda’s residents, businesses and services.
Many Ugandans have kept on pondering as to when the project will be ready. However, the green light seems to be flashing.
The Bujagali Hydro-power Project will produce its maiden 50 megawatts after the completion of the first phase between August and September next year, the Project Director of Bujagali Energy Limited told Business Power last week.
Mr Glenn Gaydar told Business Power that the project is on course but before the other phases are rolled out, the success of the first phase must be evident.
“Between August and September next year we will have the first phase (with 50 megawatts) complete,” Mr Gaydar said adding: “We will then test it and see how it goes and another one will follow.”
The $860m project, which will generate 250 megawatts of electricity and ultimately bring an end to the rampant load shedding, has so far been the country’s biggest project. This project is expected to be complete by 2012.
It is anticipated that once commissioned in 2012, the 250 megawatt, run-of-the-river hydropower plant on the Victoria Nile, will re-use water flowing from two existing upstream facilities to generate electricity.
The additional power will increase supply to the national grid at the lowest cost compared to other power generation expansion options under Uganda’s energy sector strategy.
Continued shortage of electricity threatens Uganda’s macroeconomic performance. Only five per cent of the population has access to electricity, making it one of the lowest per capita energy consumption rates in the world.
Hospitals, schools, businesses, and residences suffer load shedding caused by these shortages, which have stunted Uganda’s economic growth by an estimated one per cent of the country’s gross domestic product.
To alleviate the energy shortage, Uganda has had to rely on thermal power, a more expensive source of energy generation that, in part, caused a significant increase in the price of electricity by roughly 100 per cent in 2006.
To improve on power supply, Uganda devised a strategy aimed at promoting an efficient power sector, one that would offer an increased role to the private sector for future development, provide adequate, reliable and least-cost power generation capacity to meet the population’s demand and increase the percentage of rural households with direct access to electricity in an effort to help revitalise rural development.
The country passed and implemented a new Electricity Act and established the Electricity Regulatory Authority; unbundled the state-owned electricity company into generation, transmission, and distribution agencies; conceded generation and distribution facilities to the private sector; established a Rural Electrification Agency and approved the establishment of a credit facility to support energy investments in rural areas.
The expected outcome of the Bujgali power project will also result into increased supply of improved air quality and jobs for Ugandans (app. 2,000 jobs at the peak of construction).
The executer of the project - Bujagali Energy Limited - is a consortium of American Sithe Global, Kenyan Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) and the Uganda government. IPS is an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development.
The consortium put $190 million into the project while the rest are loans, mainly from the World Bank Group, the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank.
Bujagali Energy Limited web-site:
http://www.bujagali-energy.com/default.htm
excerpt:
---
Uganda has an acute shortage of electricity, which is negatively affecting the nation's economy and the well-being of its citizens. The Bujagali Hydropower Project is a 250-megawatt power-generating facility proposed by Bujagali Energy Limited, a company jointly owned by affiliates of Sithe Global Power, LLC and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (see About Us). The project will preserve the environment while producing substantial benefits for Uganda, including:
Increased electricity supply
Lower electricity costs
Improved air quality
Jobs for Ugandan workers
Improvements for villages located nearby
The Bujagali Hydropower Project will comply with strict environmental and other regulatory requirements. The project was approved by the Ugandan government, The World Bank Group and other potential lenders in April 2007, and is under construction.
An associated power transmission system, the Bujagali Interconnection Project, is a separate proposal sponsored by Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited that was also approved by the government and lenders (see Interconnection Project).
We have implemented an open, collaborative public consultation program to maximize community awareness and opportunities for public involvement. See Public Consultation for more information on our community outreach program.
See Project Overview for a summary of the Bujagali hydropower facility. More detailed information is included in the Key Project Documents section, which includes links to important documents filed with the Government of Uganda and prospective lenders.
*****
Nile diverted through Bujagali powerhouse
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... c2rg1mz/-/
As the final countdown to the completion of the Bujagali Hydropower Project gathers pace, engineers diverted the River Nile to flow in its original left channel and through the gated spillway which is part of the newly constructed powerhouse super structure.
The significant milestone, which paves way for the completion of the final civil structure for the 250MW power project, an earth dam connecting and the eastern bank of the river, was achieved earlier today when Salini and BEL engineers supervised the breaching of the upstream coffer dam that previously diverted the river entirely to the eastern channel to allow the powerhouse structure and central dam to be constructed.
The left channel had been dewatered since September 2007 to allow for the construction of the powerhouse, gated spillway and the west and central embankment dams. The powerhouse superstructure comprises of the powerhouse has five units each capable of producing 50MW, control room, gates and other mechanical plant, among other plant and equipment.
Speaking while on a recent tour of the project, Bujagali Energy Limited Board Chairman Mr. Nizar Juma marveled at the splendour of the Bujagali structures and indicated that the project sponsors were highly impressed by the progress of the project which was on schedule to allow Uganda and the region to start enjoying the benefits of adequate, reliable and affordable electricity.
“I would also like to commend the Government of Uganda and in particular the Ministry of Energy and Mineral for the support it has accorded the project”. This aptly demonstrates the potential to a country’s economic development that well managed private public partnerships can indeed contribute” he said, and further observed that upon commissioning of Bujagali the era of load-shedding would be consigned to history.
Works on eastern embankment, which will connect the central dam and the eastern bank of the river, are 30% complete and will be concluded by August 2011, thereby paving the way for the filling of the created reservoir and subsequently commissioning of the first unit generation of 50MW in October of this year. The full commissioning of the 250MW is scheduled for April 2012.
Mr. Bruce Wrobel Sithe Global’s President/CEO and a director of BEL was delighted that his company was proud to be part of a project that would transform the lives of millions of Ugandans by providing them affordable electricity that would allow them to exploit their potential to the fullest. “Bujagali will not only support industrial development but will also ensure that rural households have access to affordable electricity and many other services that depend on power”.
Noting that the project’s civil works are now 95% percent complete, the Project Director, Mr. Glenn Gaydar, indicated that focus has now shifted to installation, testing and commissioning of electro-mechanical equipment, with the inauguration of the first 50MW unit in October as the priority target.
He also appreciated UETCL and Eskom support that had facilitated the seamless achievement of today’s milestone, i.e. diversion of the river through the gates in the powerhouse structure.. Bujagali will provide much needed generation capacity to meet the Uganda’s electricity needs including, releasing suppressed demand in the system, cater for organic growth in power demand, replace expensive thermal generation and overcome on-going load-shedding.
Bujagali will therefore restore the competitiveness of the Uganda economy by creating jobs, reducing poverty and improving the quality of life. In so doing Bujagali will become an integral part of the country’s social and economic development.
About Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL)
BEL is a special purpose company, co-owned by the Industrial Promotion Services (K) (“IPS”), an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (“AKFED”), Sithe Global Power, LLC (“Sithe”) an affiliate of the Blackstone Group and the Government of Uganda.
BEL will own and operate the US$860m Bujagali Hydroelectric Power plant for the 30 year concession period before eventually transferring the plant to the Government of Uganda for US$1.00.
Lenders to the project comprise the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), DEG & Germany’s development bank (KfW), Proparco & the development bank of France (AFD) and the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO).
Barclays/ABSA Capital and Standard Chartered Bank are providing commercial debt finance under IDA Partial Risk Guarantee while MIGA is providing insurance guarantee cover to the Sithe Global equity.
http://www.bujagali-energy.com/default.htm
excerpt:
---
Uganda has an acute shortage of electricity, which is negatively affecting the nation's economy and the well-being of its citizens. The Bujagali Hydropower Project is a 250-megawatt power-generating facility proposed by Bujagali Energy Limited, a company jointly owned by affiliates of Sithe Global Power, LLC and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (see About Us). The project will preserve the environment while producing substantial benefits for Uganda, including:
Increased electricity supply
Lower electricity costs
Improved air quality
Jobs for Ugandan workers
Improvements for villages located nearby
The Bujagali Hydropower Project will comply with strict environmental and other regulatory requirements. The project was approved by the Ugandan government, The World Bank Group and other potential lenders in April 2007, and is under construction.
An associated power transmission system, the Bujagali Interconnection Project, is a separate proposal sponsored by Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited that was also approved by the government and lenders (see Interconnection Project).
We have implemented an open, collaborative public consultation program to maximize community awareness and opportunities for public involvement. See Public Consultation for more information on our community outreach program.
See Project Overview for a summary of the Bujagali hydropower facility. More detailed information is included in the Key Project Documents section, which includes links to important documents filed with the Government of Uganda and prospective lenders.
*****
Nile diverted through Bujagali powerhouse
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... c2rg1mz/-/
As the final countdown to the completion of the Bujagali Hydropower Project gathers pace, engineers diverted the River Nile to flow in its original left channel and through the gated spillway which is part of the newly constructed powerhouse super structure.
The significant milestone, which paves way for the completion of the final civil structure for the 250MW power project, an earth dam connecting and the eastern bank of the river, was achieved earlier today when Salini and BEL engineers supervised the breaching of the upstream coffer dam that previously diverted the river entirely to the eastern channel to allow the powerhouse structure and central dam to be constructed.
The left channel had been dewatered since September 2007 to allow for the construction of the powerhouse, gated spillway and the west and central embankment dams. The powerhouse superstructure comprises of the powerhouse has five units each capable of producing 50MW, control room, gates and other mechanical plant, among other plant and equipment.
Speaking while on a recent tour of the project, Bujagali Energy Limited Board Chairman Mr. Nizar Juma marveled at the splendour of the Bujagali structures and indicated that the project sponsors were highly impressed by the progress of the project which was on schedule to allow Uganda and the region to start enjoying the benefits of adequate, reliable and affordable electricity.
“I would also like to commend the Government of Uganda and in particular the Ministry of Energy and Mineral for the support it has accorded the project”. This aptly demonstrates the potential to a country’s economic development that well managed private public partnerships can indeed contribute” he said, and further observed that upon commissioning of Bujagali the era of load-shedding would be consigned to history.
Works on eastern embankment, which will connect the central dam and the eastern bank of the river, are 30% complete and will be concluded by August 2011, thereby paving the way for the filling of the created reservoir and subsequently commissioning of the first unit generation of 50MW in October of this year. The full commissioning of the 250MW is scheduled for April 2012.
Mr. Bruce Wrobel Sithe Global’s President/CEO and a director of BEL was delighted that his company was proud to be part of a project that would transform the lives of millions of Ugandans by providing them affordable electricity that would allow them to exploit their potential to the fullest. “Bujagali will not only support industrial development but will also ensure that rural households have access to affordable electricity and many other services that depend on power”.
Noting that the project’s civil works are now 95% percent complete, the Project Director, Mr. Glenn Gaydar, indicated that focus has now shifted to installation, testing and commissioning of electro-mechanical equipment, with the inauguration of the first 50MW unit in October as the priority target.
He also appreciated UETCL and Eskom support that had facilitated the seamless achievement of today’s milestone, i.e. diversion of the river through the gates in the powerhouse structure.. Bujagali will provide much needed generation capacity to meet the Uganda’s electricity needs including, releasing suppressed demand in the system, cater for organic growth in power demand, replace expensive thermal generation and overcome on-going load-shedding.
Bujagali will therefore restore the competitiveness of the Uganda economy by creating jobs, reducing poverty and improving the quality of life. In so doing Bujagali will become an integral part of the country’s social and economic development.
About Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL)
BEL is a special purpose company, co-owned by the Industrial Promotion Services (K) (“IPS”), an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (“AKFED”), Sithe Global Power, LLC (“Sithe”) an affiliate of the Blackstone Group and the Government of Uganda.
BEL will own and operate the US$860m Bujagali Hydroelectric Power plant for the 30 year concession period before eventually transferring the plant to the Government of Uganda for US$1.00.
Lenders to the project comprise the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), DEG & Germany’s development bank (KfW), Proparco & the development bank of France (AFD) and the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO).
Barclays/ABSA Capital and Standard Chartered Bank are providing commercial debt finance under IDA Partial Risk Guarantee while MIGA is providing insurance guarantee cover to the Sithe Global equity.
Uganda’s Bujagali Power Plant Starts Supply, Muloni Says
Fred OjamboFeb 02, 2012 4:00 am ET
(Adds power deficit in fourth paragraph.)
Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Uganda’s 250-megawatt Bujagali hydropower project started supplying electricity to the national grid and may reach 50 megawatts later today, Energy Minister Irene Muloni said.
Supply to the grid in the East African nation will rise as the commissioning of all the plant’s capacity is expected in July, Muloni said by phone from the capital, Kampala.
“They started testing the plant last week and supply reached 37.5 megawatts this morning and may reach 50 megawatts by the end of the day,” she said.
Uganda, East Africa’s third-biggest economy, has regular nationwide outages amid a power deficit, with production at 375 megawatts and consumption at 450 megawatts by the end of last year, President Yoweri Museveni said on Dec. 31.
The country will end electricity subsidies, which have cost the nation 1.53 trillion shillings ($658 million) since 2005, when Bujagali reaches full capacity, Muloni said Jan. 12.
Uganda will use the savings to finance public infrastructure projects, including the construction of the 600 megawatt Karuma Hydropower Project, whose construction starts in May, she said at the time.
The plant is jointly owned by Sithe Global Power LLC and Industrial Promotion Services Kenya Ltd., an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development SA through Bujagali Energy Ltd.
Construction of the five-turbine plant started in mid-2007 and was expected to cost $873 million, Bujagali Energy said in January 2008.
--Editors: Ana Monteiro, Tony Barrett
http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?doc ... 9MJ883K5L9
Fred OjamboFeb 02, 2012 4:00 am ET
(Adds power deficit in fourth paragraph.)
Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Uganda’s 250-megawatt Bujagali hydropower project started supplying electricity to the national grid and may reach 50 megawatts later today, Energy Minister Irene Muloni said.
Supply to the grid in the East African nation will rise as the commissioning of all the plant’s capacity is expected in July, Muloni said by phone from the capital, Kampala.
“They started testing the plant last week and supply reached 37.5 megawatts this morning and may reach 50 megawatts by the end of the day,” she said.
Uganda, East Africa’s third-biggest economy, has regular nationwide outages amid a power deficit, with production at 375 megawatts and consumption at 450 megawatts by the end of last year, President Yoweri Museveni said on Dec. 31.
The country will end electricity subsidies, which have cost the nation 1.53 trillion shillings ($658 million) since 2005, when Bujagali reaches full capacity, Muloni said Jan. 12.
Uganda will use the savings to finance public infrastructure projects, including the construction of the 600 megawatt Karuma Hydropower Project, whose construction starts in May, she said at the time.
The plant is jointly owned by Sithe Global Power LLC and Industrial Promotion Services Kenya Ltd., an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development SA through Bujagali Energy Ltd.
Construction of the five-turbine plant started in mid-2007 and was expected to cost $873 million, Bujagali Energy said in January 2008.
--Editors: Ana Monteiro, Tony Barrett
http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?doc ... 9MJ883K5L9
March 19, 2012, 8:00 a.m. EDT
Bujagali Energy Successfully Delivering First 50MW Of Clean Energy to the Ugandan Electricity Grid
Project on Track for Full 250 MW Commissioning Later This Year
KAMPALA, Uganda, Mar 19, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), the owner and operator of the Bujagali Hydroelectric Power Plant (Bujagali) today confirmed that the first 50MW unit has been delivering power reliably to the national grid for transmission and distribution to the Ugandan public since 22 February 2012, and that the unit has since successfully completed the mandatory reliability test run.
More....
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bujaga ... 2012-03-19
Bujagali Energy Successfully Delivering First 50MW Of Clean Energy to the Ugandan Electricity Grid
Project on Track for Full 250 MW Commissioning Later This Year
KAMPALA, Uganda, Mar 19, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), the owner and operator of the Bujagali Hydroelectric Power Plant (Bujagali) today confirmed that the first 50MW unit has been delivering power reliably to the national grid for transmission and distribution to the Ugandan public since 22 February 2012, and that the unit has since successfully completed the mandatory reliability test run.
More....
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bujaga ... 2012-03-19
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... index.html
Prince Aga Khan marks 55 years as Ismailia head
Minister Kajara toasts with Mr Ahmed during the celebrations in Kampala on Thursday. Photo by Faiswal Kasirye
By Solomon Arinaitwe (email the author)
Posted Sunday, July 22 2012 at 01:00
The Aga Khan Development Network on Thursday celebrated 55 years of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan as head of the Ismailia Muslims.
The Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismailia after succeeding his grandfather Shah Aga Khan on July 11, 1957. The Imamat Day is marked every July 11 but different communities organise celebrations on different days.
Speaking at celebrations held at the Serena Hotel, Kampala, Mr Mahmoud Ahmed, the Aga Khan diplomatic representative, said the Aga Khan Development Network would engage more in social development of Uganda.
He, however, warned that failure to eliminate infrastructural deficits in power and transport was affecting investor confidence in Uganda.
He said the Aga Khan will grace the opening of the 250 MW Bujagali dam later this year, which is expected to solve the load shedding problem.
The Aga Khan Development Network runs a variety of upscale businesses in Uganda in health, education, culture and rural development sectors. The State Minister for Investment, Mr Aston Kajara, said the Aga Khan investments in Uganda were a testimony that doing business in Uganda is not risky.
He added that businesses that connect Uganda to her regional partners in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda were aiding the integration efforts of markets in the East African region.
The Minister said that the Aga Khan was investing in Uganda “at a time when we are very vulnerable”.
Monitor Publications Ltd and NTV under the Nation Media Group, are a subsidiary of the Aga Khan Development Network.
[email protected]
Prince Aga Khan marks 55 years as Ismailia head
Minister Kajara toasts with Mr Ahmed during the celebrations in Kampala on Thursday. Photo by Faiswal Kasirye
By Solomon Arinaitwe (email the author)
Posted Sunday, July 22 2012 at 01:00
The Aga Khan Development Network on Thursday celebrated 55 years of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan as head of the Ismailia Muslims.
The Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismailia after succeeding his grandfather Shah Aga Khan on July 11, 1957. The Imamat Day is marked every July 11 but different communities organise celebrations on different days.
Speaking at celebrations held at the Serena Hotel, Kampala, Mr Mahmoud Ahmed, the Aga Khan diplomatic representative, said the Aga Khan Development Network would engage more in social development of Uganda.
He, however, warned that failure to eliminate infrastructural deficits in power and transport was affecting investor confidence in Uganda.
He said the Aga Khan will grace the opening of the 250 MW Bujagali dam later this year, which is expected to solve the load shedding problem.
The Aga Khan Development Network runs a variety of upscale businesses in Uganda in health, education, culture and rural development sectors. The State Minister for Investment, Mr Aston Kajara, said the Aga Khan investments in Uganda were a testimony that doing business in Uganda is not risky.
He added that businesses that connect Uganda to her regional partners in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda were aiding the integration efforts of markets in the East African region.
The Minister said that the Aga Khan was investing in Uganda “at a time when we are very vulnerable”.
Monitor Publications Ltd and NTV under the Nation Media Group, are a subsidiary of the Aga Khan Development Network.
[email protected]
Museveni, Aga Khan set to launch Bujagali October 2012
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option ... Itemid=114
Museveni, Aga Khan set to launch Bujagali
Sunday, 23 September 2012 21:29
Written by Edward Ssekika
As part of the activities to celebrate 50 years of independence, President Museveni and His Highness the Aga Khan are expected to officially inaugurate the just-completed Bujagali hydropower project.
According to Mahmood Ahmed, the Resident Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network, the 250 megawatt Bujagali hydropower project will be inaugurated on the eve of the country’s Golden Jubilee, on October 8. Bujagali hydropower project is the work of a public-private partnership (PPP) model between the government of Uganda and a consortium involving the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development.
The consortium formed the Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), which will own and operate the power plant for a 30-year concession. The plant will then become a government asset after being handed over for $1. Dr Kevin Kariuki, head of infrastructure in Aga Khan’s Industrial Promotion Services, says, the dam can generate even more electricity than the projected 250 megawatts.
“The dam can generate 270 megawatts,” Dr Kariuki told journalists at Kampala Serena hotel last Friday.
Dr Kariuki hailed the important role the Uganda government played in ensuring that the project is implemented on time. In May 2007, government extended a Shs 90m loan to the BEL to expedite the construction. The developers paid back the loan. In total, says Dr Kariuki, $860m has been spent on the project. Bukenya Matovu, the head of communication in the Energy and Mineral Development ministry, said the dam had doubled Uganda’s electricity supply. He added that the power plant currently meets 49% of the country’s energy requirements.
Uganda’s electricity demand has been growing at an annual rate of approximately 10% in recent years. This has led to demand exceeding supply, something that triggered frequent load-shedding. Now, with a significant increase in power generation and energy, the project has virtually eliminated load-shedding and replaced the entire emergency thermal generation, Matovu noted.
“This will spur economic growth and considerably improve the lives of Ugandans,” Ahmed added.
A statement from BEL says over 3,000 jobs were created at the peak of the construction. BEL is to sell the energy generated to the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited at 10 US cents/kwh. The cost is expected to go down substantially after the expiry of the concession.
Turbulent past
Bujagali’s completion and inauguration brings to an end one of Uganda’s most controversial public projects. Back in early 2000, the project hit headlines after the Sixth Parliament questioned government’s commitment towards protecting the environment. Little wonder, President Museveni has often blamed the Sixth Parliament for the delay in the construction of the dam.
However, it was not entirely their fault. As politicians debated and bribery allegations emerged, AES, an American energy company which was to lead the construction, pulled out in 2001 after experiencing some financial challenges at home. In 2006, Bujagali got new developers, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, who formed BEL. Aga Khan’s Industrial Promotion Services together with Sithe Global Power embarked on the project.
Loans from the World Bank, European Investment Bank, Netherland’s FMO, African Development Bank and France’s PROPARCO, among others, bolstered the project. Also involved in the project was Industrial Promotion Services (Kenya) Limited and SG Bujagali Holdings Ltd, an affiliate of Sithe Global Power, LLC (USA).
Bujagali hydropower project, Dr Kariuki notes, has been approved as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) by the executive board of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). As a CDM project, it could earn about $17 million per year from selling certified emission reduction (CER) credits to industrialised countries as part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol of the UN framework Convention for climate change, he explained. Under the deal, the Uganda government would receive 60% of the carbon credit income while 40%l goes to BEL.
[email protected]
Museveni, Aga Khan set to launch Bujagali
Sunday, 23 September 2012 21:29
Written by Edward Ssekika
As part of the activities to celebrate 50 years of independence, President Museveni and His Highness the Aga Khan are expected to officially inaugurate the just-completed Bujagali hydropower project.
According to Mahmood Ahmed, the Resident Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network, the 250 megawatt Bujagali hydropower project will be inaugurated on the eve of the country’s Golden Jubilee, on October 8. Bujagali hydropower project is the work of a public-private partnership (PPP) model between the government of Uganda and a consortium involving the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development.
The consortium formed the Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), which will own and operate the power plant for a 30-year concession. The plant will then become a government asset after being handed over for $1. Dr Kevin Kariuki, head of infrastructure in Aga Khan’s Industrial Promotion Services, says, the dam can generate even more electricity than the projected 250 megawatts.
“The dam can generate 270 megawatts,” Dr Kariuki told journalists at Kampala Serena hotel last Friday.
Dr Kariuki hailed the important role the Uganda government played in ensuring that the project is implemented on time. In May 2007, government extended a Shs 90m loan to the BEL to expedite the construction. The developers paid back the loan. In total, says Dr Kariuki, $860m has been spent on the project. Bukenya Matovu, the head of communication in the Energy and Mineral Development ministry, said the dam had doubled Uganda’s electricity supply. He added that the power plant currently meets 49% of the country’s energy requirements.
Uganda’s electricity demand has been growing at an annual rate of approximately 10% in recent years. This has led to demand exceeding supply, something that triggered frequent load-shedding. Now, with a significant increase in power generation and energy, the project has virtually eliminated load-shedding and replaced the entire emergency thermal generation, Matovu noted.
“This will spur economic growth and considerably improve the lives of Ugandans,” Ahmed added.
A statement from BEL says over 3,000 jobs were created at the peak of the construction. BEL is to sell the energy generated to the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited at 10 US cents/kwh. The cost is expected to go down substantially after the expiry of the concession.
Turbulent past
Bujagali’s completion and inauguration brings to an end one of Uganda’s most controversial public projects. Back in early 2000, the project hit headlines after the Sixth Parliament questioned government’s commitment towards protecting the environment. Little wonder, President Museveni has often blamed the Sixth Parliament for the delay in the construction of the dam.
However, it was not entirely their fault. As politicians debated and bribery allegations emerged, AES, an American energy company which was to lead the construction, pulled out in 2001 after experiencing some financial challenges at home. In 2006, Bujagali got new developers, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, who formed BEL. Aga Khan’s Industrial Promotion Services together with Sithe Global Power embarked on the project.
Loans from the World Bank, European Investment Bank, Netherland’s FMO, African Development Bank and France’s PROPARCO, among others, bolstered the project. Also involved in the project was Industrial Promotion Services (Kenya) Limited and SG Bujagali Holdings Ltd, an affiliate of Sithe Global Power, LLC (USA).
Bujagali hydropower project, Dr Kariuki notes, has been approved as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) by the executive board of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). As a CDM project, it could earn about $17 million per year from selling certified emission reduction (CER) credits to industrialised countries as part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol of the UN framework Convention for climate change, he explained. Under the deal, the Uganda government would receive 60% of the carbon credit income while 40%l goes to BEL.
[email protected]
The Monitor
President of South Sudan Gen. Salva Kiir, his Highness the Agha Khan greeting the ministers Irene Muloni and Daudi Migereko at Bujjagali Dam.
President of South Sudan Gen. Salva Kiir, his Highness the Agha Khan greeting the ministers Irene Muloni and Daudi Migereko at Bujjagali Dam. It was during the commissioning of the Bujjagali Dam. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... index.html
LIVE UPDATES: Museveni commissions Bujagali Dam
By Nelson Wesonga
Posted Monday, October 8 2012 at 16:46
In Summary
The 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Dam is about to be commissioned. High profile guests include Amama Mbabazi, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, her deputy Jacob Oulanyah, Energy Minister Irene Muloni. They are waiting for President Yoweri Museveni and the Aga Khan to arrive for the commissioning of the $860 million project.
EAT17:15 However, the President says, Uganda’s could witness loadshedding within the next two years unless other electricity projects are initiated. He asks Bujagali Energy consortium to consider other projects. He also asks the Aga Khan to get him investors who will add value.
EAT17:20 The President formally commissions the project. “It’s now my pleasure to declare commissioned the Bujagali Hydro Power Project,” he says, while unveiling a plaque to symbolize the commissioning.
EAT 17:28 Some guests start leaving the venue as the National Anthem is played to mark the end of the event.
EAT 17:11 President Museveni says external funding is not reliable, and that with the energy fund, Uganda will not be at the whims of foreign funders.
He says he is “going to study the factors behind the delay of Karuma.” Museveni adds that with the country more peaceful and with more electricity, Uganda’s growth rate would head north.
EAT 17:01 Women in yellow gomesis ululate as President Museveni steps forward to make his speech. “Abantu bano mbafunyemu akasente,” the president says.
Museveni says that the Libya of Gadaffi had some electricity before he – Gadaffi – was killed by Western countries. He says there is no modern life without electricity, and that people who don’t develop electricity should be taken to the ICC because people die due to lack of electricity.
EAT 16:53 The Aga Khan starts giving his speech. He says this occasion is of great significance, and is an inspiring model on how such change can be achieved.
The Aga Khan acknowledges the community around the project, the scientists and engineers, as well as the government of President Museveni. He says Bujagali is a Ugandan success story. He says the project won’t stop delivering electricity but would continue to improve on the lives of the community.
EAT 16:48 The Minister of Energy, Irene Muloni, steps forward to invite the Aga Khan. She says “the commissioning is one of the best gifts we have received as a country.”
Ms Muloni says the ministry has won an award for promoting the Bujagali Project, and that the ministry would collect the award from the London Stock Exchange in December.
EAT 16:45 Claude Periou, the CEO of PROPARCO, says Bujagali is the kind of progress “we should all be proud of.” He says Bujagali will serve as a model in other countries. Mr Periou says time was needed to complete the project and the project learned is that partnerships are important.
EAT 16:41 David Foley, the CEO of Blackstone Energy Partners, says with the formal commissioning Uganda can enjoy independence with electricity. He says that without the Aga Khan Bujagali would not be what it is. Foley says families no longer have to worry about food going bad in their fridges.
EAT 16:31 He says this is the largest independent private project in Sub Saharan Africa. Nizar says he is glad to return to his country of birth, Uganda.
Nizar adds that President Museveni’s vision guided them to complete their project on schedule and on budget, whilst adhering to stringent environmental standards. He adds that 3000 people worked on the project, which consumed a total of $902 million.
EAT 16:27 The LCV chairman says the “mega investment” will boost development. He says they have a better housing estate and roads as a result of the project. Nizar Juma, the Chairman of Bujagali Energy Ltd, is now delivering his speech. He says he is now honored to welcome the guests.
EAT 16:20 St Peter’s Primary School now singing a congratulatory song. The pupils, in navy blue dresses and sky blue blouses extol the president and the Aga Khan. Eng. D’Ujanga walks to the front, perhaps to tell the pupils not to spend so much time on stage. He then asks the Buikwe District LCV Chairman to the front.
EAT 16:14 The Aga Khan is standing next to President Museveni, on his left. Bishop Kyomya of Busoga Diocese (CoU) walks to the front to deliver the opening prayer. He prays that the dam fosters Uganda’s development. Guests take their seats.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Tanzania are all represented. Tanzania is represented by the country’s Vice President Mohamed Gharib Bilal .
EAT 16:10 President Museveni, flanked by the First Lady, arrives. They are given a standing ovation. South Sudan President Salva Kiir and Burundi leader Pierre Nkurunziza also arrive. The Uganda Police Band plays the National Anthem.
The 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Dam is about to be commissioned. High profile guests include Amama Mbabazi, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, her deputy Jacob Oulanyah, Energy Minister Irene Muloni. They are waiting for President Yoweri Museveni and the Aga Khan to arrive for the commissioning of the $860 million project.
EAT 16:08 The Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi, is peruses a copy of the Daily Monitor. Nation Media Group Wilfred Chairman Kiboro is here too.
EAT 15: 55 Master of ceremonies, Eng. Simon D’Ujanga takes stage. He says the president and the Aga Khan “arrived earlier” but have been touring the complex.
Interlude of jazz music plays to help guests. It’s hot inside the tent, and some guests are using booklets to fan themselves. Heavy army trucks are driving around the dam.
EAT 15:45 As they wait, it’s time to ponder about the next project elsewhere for Musa Kakaire, who was working as a “fitter” of mechanical parts at the dam. He says: “My services are no longer needed here now that the project is complete. I have begun looking for a job elsewhere.”
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... index.html
Bujagali to be commissioned officially today
By NELSON WESONGA & STEPHEN OTAGE
Posted Monday, October 8 2012 at 01:00
BUJAGALI
President Museveni and His Highness the Aga Khan are this morning expected to formally commission the $860 million (Shs2.1 trillion) Bujagali Hydro Power Project in Jinja.
“Construction has come to completion. The new chapter is exciting for us, we are thrilled...” Mr Bill Groth, the Bujagali Energy Ltd’s resident construction manager, said ahead of the commissioning, which should also be graced by at least 10 regional leaders here to attend the country’s jubilee celebrations.
Bujagali will substantially lower the cost of doing business since its electricity will be sold at a bulk price of $10 cents, which is $19 cents lower than power produced by Electro-maxx and Jacobsen thermal power plants. Electricity is a crucial overhead in industrial production.
Decommissioned
Since its completion in June 2012, the government has decommissioned the Aggreko thermal power plants in Jinja and Mutundwe, which were each contributing 50MW to the national grid. This helped the government save the $9.5m (Shs23.3b) which it was spending monthly on electricity subsidies.
From 2005 to 2011, the government had spent Shs1.5 trillion on subsidies, which was not sustainable because it sucked up resources badly needed to fund other large hydropower projects, according to government sources.
At some point, the government had to request BEL, which is comprised of the Industrial Promotion Services (the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) and Sithe Global Power LLC (USA) to do a “unit-by-unit” commissioning to mitigate the electricity deficit.
BEL will re-use water discharged by the upstream 380 megawatt Kiira-Nalubale power plant.
There were concerns that Bujagali would draw more water from Lake Victoria.
The project was funded by the African Development Bank, ABSA Capital, Agence Francaise de Developpement, Barclays, DEG, European Investment Bank, Netherlands Development Finance Company, PROPARCO, Standard Chartered Bank, the World Bank Group and International Finance Corporation.
With Bujagali now on board, there has been a noticeable end to load-shedding in most parts of the country that are on the national electricity grid. Bujagali is contributing 49 per cent of all the electricity consumed in Uganda. But with the demand for electricity increasing by 10 per cent annually, Uganda will need another power plant to meet the growing demand within the next two years.
The completion of the project frees up 2,000 skilled employees, who will come in handy when the construction of Karuma Hydro Power Project commences next year.
[email protected]
Bujagali to be commissioned officially today
By NELSON WESONGA & STEPHEN OTAGE
Posted Monday, October 8 2012 at 01:00
BUJAGALI
President Museveni and His Highness the Aga Khan are this morning expected to formally commission the $860 million (Shs2.1 trillion) Bujagali Hydro Power Project in Jinja.
“Construction has come to completion. The new chapter is exciting for us, we are thrilled...” Mr Bill Groth, the Bujagali Energy Ltd’s resident construction manager, said ahead of the commissioning, which should also be graced by at least 10 regional leaders here to attend the country’s jubilee celebrations.
Bujagali will substantially lower the cost of doing business since its electricity will be sold at a bulk price of $10 cents, which is $19 cents lower than power produced by Electro-maxx and Jacobsen thermal power plants. Electricity is a crucial overhead in industrial production.
Decommissioned
Since its completion in June 2012, the government has decommissioned the Aggreko thermal power plants in Jinja and Mutundwe, which were each contributing 50MW to the national grid. This helped the government save the $9.5m (Shs23.3b) which it was spending monthly on electricity subsidies.
From 2005 to 2011, the government had spent Shs1.5 trillion on subsidies, which was not sustainable because it sucked up resources badly needed to fund other large hydropower projects, according to government sources.
At some point, the government had to request BEL, which is comprised of the Industrial Promotion Services (the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) and Sithe Global Power LLC (USA) to do a “unit-by-unit” commissioning to mitigate the electricity deficit.
BEL will re-use water discharged by the upstream 380 megawatt Kiira-Nalubale power plant.
There were concerns that Bujagali would draw more water from Lake Victoria.
The project was funded by the African Development Bank, ABSA Capital, Agence Francaise de Developpement, Barclays, DEG, European Investment Bank, Netherlands Development Finance Company, PROPARCO, Standard Chartered Bank, the World Bank Group and International Finance Corporation.
With Bujagali now on board, there has been a noticeable end to load-shedding in most parts of the country that are on the national electricity grid. Bujagali is contributing 49 per cent of all the electricity consumed in Uganda. But with the demand for electricity increasing by 10 per cent annually, Uganda will need another power plant to meet the growing demand within the next two years.
The completion of the project frees up 2,000 skilled employees, who will come in handy when the construction of Karuma Hydro Power Project commences next year.
[email protected]
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ ... index.html
By Stephen Otage
Posted Sunday, October 7 2012 at 01:00
Fifteen heads of state have confirmed they will be attending the golden Jubilee celebrations slated for Tuesday. Boni Yayi of Benin, Gambia’s Yahaya Jammech, Malawi’s Joyce Banda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir, Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete and Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi have confirmed attendance.
Others are Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, Denis Sassou Ngweso of Congo Brazaville, Mohamed Morsi of Egypt, Francoise Bozize of the Central African Republic, Namibia’s Hifikopunya Pohamba, Khama Ian Khama of Namibia as well as the recently elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia.
Bujagali project commissioning
The head of the Aga Khan Development Network, Prince Aga Khan, who has also confirmed attendance, is expected to lead the 15 heads of state and governments in the commissioning of the Bujagali hydro electricity plant which will be commissioned on Monday.
The 250MW project, which started in 2007, is billed as one of the most successful public-private-partnership projects to be commissioned and completed within schedule in Africa and is now regarded a global case study.
Queen Elizabeth of England, who handed over independence to Uganda, is represented by Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, who jetted into the country on Thursday.
By Stephen Otage
Posted Sunday, October 7 2012 at 01:00
Fifteen heads of state have confirmed they will be attending the golden Jubilee celebrations slated for Tuesday. Boni Yayi of Benin, Gambia’s Yahaya Jammech, Malawi’s Joyce Banda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir, Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete and Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi have confirmed attendance.
Others are Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, Denis Sassou Ngweso of Congo Brazaville, Mohamed Morsi of Egypt, Francoise Bozize of the Central African Republic, Namibia’s Hifikopunya Pohamba, Khama Ian Khama of Namibia as well as the recently elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia.
Bujagali project commissioning
The head of the Aga Khan Development Network, Prince Aga Khan, who has also confirmed attendance, is expected to lead the 15 heads of state and governments in the commissioning of the Bujagali hydro electricity plant which will be commissioned on Monday.
The 250MW project, which started in 2007, is billed as one of the most successful public-private-partnership projects to be commissioned and completed within schedule in Africa and is now regarded a global case study.
Queen Elizabeth of England, who handed over independence to Uganda, is represented by Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, who jetted into the country on Thursday.
News Releases
Ugandan President Museveni and Aga Khan Inaugurate Bujagali Hydropower Plant
BusinessWire · Oct. 8, 2012 | Last Updated: Oct. 8, 2012 1:52 PM ET
Uganda’s President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, today inaugurated the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Plant in the presence of the Aga Khan and project partners Sithe Global, a company majority owned by a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors. The ceremony, which took place on the eve of celebrations marking 50 years of Uganda’s independence, was attended by government officials, heads of State from across Africa, international dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community.
The plant, constructed at a cost of approximately US$900 million, was jointly funded by Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Sithe Global Power LLC (USA), a company majority owned by Blackstone Capital Partners IV, L.P., a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors, and the Government of Uganda. It has eliminated Uganda’s previous energy shortage by nearly doubling the country’s effective generation capacity (it currently meets 49% of the country’s energy requirements) and provides clean, reliable power at lower costs than existing power generating facilities. Construction of the plant commenced in August 2007. It comprises five units of 50MW each, commissioned in phases between February 2012 and June 2012.
Bujagali represents one of the largest privately-funded power sector investments ever made in Sub-Saharan Africa and sets a unique precedent for public-private partnerships. The plant will be operated by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), a company established by the project partners to operate and manage the plant, for a 30 year period, following which it will be transferred to the government of Uganda for a nominal price of US one dollar.
Uganda’s electricity demand has been growing by 10% every year, while supply prior to the commissioning of Bujagali has remained stagnant. Frequent power shortages and blackouts accounted for between 1 to 1.5% loss to Uganda’s GDP, thereby slowing the country’s economic development. Since the first unit became operational in February 2012, Bujagali has provided a reliable solution to Uganda’s power demands, serving as a catalyst for economic growth and replacing emergency thermal generation costs, thereby saving US$ 9.5 million per month in government subsidies.
Commenting on the role of the Aga Khan Development Network, His Highness the Aga Khan, said, “But let me emphasize that this has also been a global story. As we try to count up the key participants, we find that they come from at least 37 different countries - a truly international network of partners. Those of us who represent the Aga Khan Development Network are proud to have been associated with so many fine allies in this work, including our close, central partnership with Sithe Global and Blackstone.”
The project serves as an example of a highly successful public-private partnership model, ideal for replication throughout the region.
Speaking at the event, David Foley, Senior Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone Energy Partners, said, “Bujagali showcases how successful partnerships between the public and private sectors can create development opportunities for growing economies. Blackstone is proud to have played an important role, together with our partner the Aga Khan, in the development of Bujagali, the successful completion of which is a credit to the leadership of President Museveni and the commitment of the Government of Uganda. Africa is a resource rich continent and is primed for the development of hydroelectric power generation facilities like Bujagali. On behalf of our investors, Blackstone has committed billions of dollars of equity capital to build energy businesses on four continents around the globe and will continue to invest in emerging market countries to provide them with the affordable, safe and reliable energy to sustain their economic growth.”
The Bujagali Hydropower Project has already impacted the surrounding communities with the creation of approximately 3,000 new jobs for Ugandan workers during peak construction; improved community services such as clean water supply, education and health facilities in nearby villages; the provision of micro-credit funds to surrounding rural populations and the enhancement of infrastructure.
“That a project of Bujagali’s size and complexity has been completed on time and within budget whilst adhering to the highest technical as well as social and environmental standards is a huge testimony to the quality and experience of the sponsor, development and construction teams, with whom I am truly proud to be associated. The Bujagali experience is invaluable and we will certainly draw from it when developing future projects in the region,” observed Mr. Nizar Juma, the Chairman of Bujagali Energy Ltd.
Bruce J. Wrobel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sithe Global who was also present at the commissioning said, “We believe that projects like Bujagali, which has both impacted the energy sector in Uganda in a far-reaching positive way and mitigated the ecological footprint of a generation, is the key to sustainable development. We are proud to have joined our partners, the lenders and the Government of Uganda in bringing this project to a reality and it is gratifying to see the impacts the project is already having, not only by making available ample, clean, renewable energy, but also by having a positive effect on the lives of the people living in the community and region around this project.”
The Project has also been registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), making it the largest project ever registered in a Least Developed Country. Bujagali will yield an average of 900,000 Carbon Dioxide Emission Reductions (CERs) annually, putting it at the forefront of clean energy efforts.
The project was also made possible by support from a number of other lenders: International Finance Corporation (“IFC”), the European Investment Bank, African Development Bank (“AfDB”), Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelinsslanden N.V. (“FMO”), Societe de Promotion et de Participation pour la Cooperation Economique (“Proparco”)/Agence Francaise de Development (“AFD”), DEG-Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft MBH (“DEG”) and KfW. Barclays/ABSA Capital and Standard Chartered Bank are providing commercial debt under an International Development Association (“IDA”) Partial Risk Guarantee, while MIGA is providing insurance guarantee cover for Sithe Global’s equity.
-Ends-
NOTES
BUJAGALI HYDROPOWER PLANT
Bujagali Hydropower Project was established through a public-private partnership model between the Government of Uganda on the one hand and a consortium of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Blackstone affiliates on the other.
This consortium partnered with the Government of Uganda to form Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL). BEL will own and operate Bujagali Hydropower plant for a 30-year concession period before transferring the plant to the Government of Uganda for US$1.
Please see: www.bujagali-energy.com
Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED)
AKFED is an international development agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and building economically sound enterprises in the developing world. AKFED focuses on building enterprises in parts of the world that lack sufficient foreign direct investment. It also makes bold but calculated investments in situations that are fragile and complex.
Industrial Promotion Services (IPS)
IPS is the infrastructure and industrial development arm of AKFED. It has operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and DR Congo which employ some 8,500 people, and is also actively pursuing investment opportunities in Rwanda, Mozambique and Madagascar. Outside the East and Central Africa region, IPS also operates in Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Canada.
IPS’s involvement in power includes the 288 MW Azito gas power plant in Cote D’Ivoire, concessionaire for Energie du Mali (power & water utility), Kenya’s 75 MW Tsavo diesel plant and a vertically-integrated off-grid utility involved in generation, distribution and sale of electricity in the West Nile region of Uganda.
IPS is also a partner in the $650 million SEACOM submarine fibre optic cable which became operational in July 2009. The cable links countries in Eastern and Southern Africa to international cables in South Africa, India and Europe. In doing so, the cable provides access to affordable and high quality bandwidth to the Eastern and Southern Africa seaboard, which was previously the only part of the world without access to international submarine cables.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
The agencies of the AKDN are private, international, non-denominational development organisations. They work to improve the welfare and prospects of people in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa. While each agency pursues its own mandate, all of them work together within the overarching framework of the Network so that their different pursuits interact and reinforce one another. The AKDN works in 30 countries around the world and employs approximately 80,000 people. The AKDN’s annual budget for non-profit development activities is approximately US$ 625 million. The project companies of AKFED generate revenues of approximately US$ 2.3 billion annually. All surpluses are reinvested in further development activities.
Please see: www.akdn.org
Blackstone
Blackstone (NYSE: BX) is one of the world’s leading investment and advisory firms and is an experienced and active investor in the energy and natural resources sector. Funds managed by Blackstone have invested/committed approximately $6 billion in the sector to date across four continents. The firm seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for its investors, the companies it invests in, the companies it advises and the broader global economy. Blackstone’s alternative asset management businesses include the management of private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge fund solutions, credit-oriented funds and closed-end mutual funds. Blackstone also provides various financial advisory services, including financial and strategic advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services.
Please see: www.blackstone.com
Sithe Global
Sithe Global Power, LLC (Sithe Global) is 99% owned by funds managed by Blackstone. Blackstone purchased an 80% ownership interest in Sithe Global in 2005 and subsequently increased it to 99% in 2011 with the objective of facilitating Sithe Global's plans to develop, finance, construct and operate electric power generation facilities in the U.S. and certain other international markets. Sithe Global has a portfolio of power projects in various stages of development and construction in the Philippines, India, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and other regions totaling approximately 5,000 MW of generating capacity. Sithe Global also continues to pursue other opportunities within Africa.
Sithe Global is led by a seasoned management and technical team with extensive independent power project development experience, and a proven record of identifying project development and acquisition opportunities which create substantial value for its investors. The Sithe Global management team has successfully developed over 50 power projects in nine countries with a capital investment in excess of $5 billion.
Please see: www.sitheglobal.com
Contacts
For More Information:
Aga Khan Development Network France
Semin Abdulla
Senior Communications Officer
[email protected]
or
Public Affairs
Blackstone
Oriane Schwartzman, +1-347-446-8310
[email protected]
or
Christine Anderson, +1-212-583-5182
[email protected]
Ugandan President Museveni and Aga Khan Inaugurate Bujagali Hydropower Plant
BusinessWire · Oct. 8, 2012 | Last Updated: Oct. 8, 2012 1:52 PM ET
Uganda’s President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, today inaugurated the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Plant in the presence of the Aga Khan and project partners Sithe Global, a company majority owned by a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors. The ceremony, which took place on the eve of celebrations marking 50 years of Uganda’s independence, was attended by government officials, heads of State from across Africa, international dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community.
The plant, constructed at a cost of approximately US$900 million, was jointly funded by Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Sithe Global Power LLC (USA), a company majority owned by Blackstone Capital Partners IV, L.P., a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors, and the Government of Uganda. It has eliminated Uganda’s previous energy shortage by nearly doubling the country’s effective generation capacity (it currently meets 49% of the country’s energy requirements) and provides clean, reliable power at lower costs than existing power generating facilities. Construction of the plant commenced in August 2007. It comprises five units of 50MW each, commissioned in phases between February 2012 and June 2012.
Bujagali represents one of the largest privately-funded power sector investments ever made in Sub-Saharan Africa and sets a unique precedent for public-private partnerships. The plant will be operated by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), a company established by the project partners to operate and manage the plant, for a 30 year period, following which it will be transferred to the government of Uganda for a nominal price of US one dollar.
Uganda’s electricity demand has been growing by 10% every year, while supply prior to the commissioning of Bujagali has remained stagnant. Frequent power shortages and blackouts accounted for between 1 to 1.5% loss to Uganda’s GDP, thereby slowing the country’s economic development. Since the first unit became operational in February 2012, Bujagali has provided a reliable solution to Uganda’s power demands, serving as a catalyst for economic growth and replacing emergency thermal generation costs, thereby saving US$ 9.5 million per month in government subsidies.
Commenting on the role of the Aga Khan Development Network, His Highness the Aga Khan, said, “But let me emphasize that this has also been a global story. As we try to count up the key participants, we find that they come from at least 37 different countries - a truly international network of partners. Those of us who represent the Aga Khan Development Network are proud to have been associated with so many fine allies in this work, including our close, central partnership with Sithe Global and Blackstone.”
The project serves as an example of a highly successful public-private partnership model, ideal for replication throughout the region.
Speaking at the event, David Foley, Senior Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone Energy Partners, said, “Bujagali showcases how successful partnerships between the public and private sectors can create development opportunities for growing economies. Blackstone is proud to have played an important role, together with our partner the Aga Khan, in the development of Bujagali, the successful completion of which is a credit to the leadership of President Museveni and the commitment of the Government of Uganda. Africa is a resource rich continent and is primed for the development of hydroelectric power generation facilities like Bujagali. On behalf of our investors, Blackstone has committed billions of dollars of equity capital to build energy businesses on four continents around the globe and will continue to invest in emerging market countries to provide them with the affordable, safe and reliable energy to sustain their economic growth.”
The Bujagali Hydropower Project has already impacted the surrounding communities with the creation of approximately 3,000 new jobs for Ugandan workers during peak construction; improved community services such as clean water supply, education and health facilities in nearby villages; the provision of micro-credit funds to surrounding rural populations and the enhancement of infrastructure.
“That a project of Bujagali’s size and complexity has been completed on time and within budget whilst adhering to the highest technical as well as social and environmental standards is a huge testimony to the quality and experience of the sponsor, development and construction teams, with whom I am truly proud to be associated. The Bujagali experience is invaluable and we will certainly draw from it when developing future projects in the region,” observed Mr. Nizar Juma, the Chairman of Bujagali Energy Ltd.
Bruce J. Wrobel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sithe Global who was also present at the commissioning said, “We believe that projects like Bujagali, which has both impacted the energy sector in Uganda in a far-reaching positive way and mitigated the ecological footprint of a generation, is the key to sustainable development. We are proud to have joined our partners, the lenders and the Government of Uganda in bringing this project to a reality and it is gratifying to see the impacts the project is already having, not only by making available ample, clean, renewable energy, but also by having a positive effect on the lives of the people living in the community and region around this project.”
The Project has also been registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), making it the largest project ever registered in a Least Developed Country. Bujagali will yield an average of 900,000 Carbon Dioxide Emission Reductions (CERs) annually, putting it at the forefront of clean energy efforts.
The project was also made possible by support from a number of other lenders: International Finance Corporation (“IFC”), the European Investment Bank, African Development Bank (“AfDB”), Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelinsslanden N.V. (“FMO”), Societe de Promotion et de Participation pour la Cooperation Economique (“Proparco”)/Agence Francaise de Development (“AFD”), DEG-Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft MBH (“DEG”) and KfW. Barclays/ABSA Capital and Standard Chartered Bank are providing commercial debt under an International Development Association (“IDA”) Partial Risk Guarantee, while MIGA is providing insurance guarantee cover for Sithe Global’s equity.
-Ends-
NOTES
BUJAGALI HYDROPOWER PLANT
Bujagali Hydropower Project was established through a public-private partnership model between the Government of Uganda on the one hand and a consortium of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Blackstone affiliates on the other.
This consortium partnered with the Government of Uganda to form Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL). BEL will own and operate Bujagali Hydropower plant for a 30-year concession period before transferring the plant to the Government of Uganda for US$1.
Please see: www.bujagali-energy.com
Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED)
AKFED is an international development agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and building economically sound enterprises in the developing world. AKFED focuses on building enterprises in parts of the world that lack sufficient foreign direct investment. It also makes bold but calculated investments in situations that are fragile and complex.
Industrial Promotion Services (IPS)
IPS is the infrastructure and industrial development arm of AKFED. It has operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and DR Congo which employ some 8,500 people, and is also actively pursuing investment opportunities in Rwanda, Mozambique and Madagascar. Outside the East and Central Africa region, IPS also operates in Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Canada.
IPS’s involvement in power includes the 288 MW Azito gas power plant in Cote D’Ivoire, concessionaire for Energie du Mali (power & water utility), Kenya’s 75 MW Tsavo diesel plant and a vertically-integrated off-grid utility involved in generation, distribution and sale of electricity in the West Nile region of Uganda.
IPS is also a partner in the $650 million SEACOM submarine fibre optic cable which became operational in July 2009. The cable links countries in Eastern and Southern Africa to international cables in South Africa, India and Europe. In doing so, the cable provides access to affordable and high quality bandwidth to the Eastern and Southern Africa seaboard, which was previously the only part of the world without access to international submarine cables.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
The agencies of the AKDN are private, international, non-denominational development organisations. They work to improve the welfare and prospects of people in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa. While each agency pursues its own mandate, all of them work together within the overarching framework of the Network so that their different pursuits interact and reinforce one another. The AKDN works in 30 countries around the world and employs approximately 80,000 people. The AKDN’s annual budget for non-profit development activities is approximately US$ 625 million. The project companies of AKFED generate revenues of approximately US$ 2.3 billion annually. All surpluses are reinvested in further development activities.
Please see: www.akdn.org
Blackstone
Blackstone (NYSE: BX) is one of the world’s leading investment and advisory firms and is an experienced and active investor in the energy and natural resources sector. Funds managed by Blackstone have invested/committed approximately $6 billion in the sector to date across four continents. The firm seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for its investors, the companies it invests in, the companies it advises and the broader global economy. Blackstone’s alternative asset management businesses include the management of private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge fund solutions, credit-oriented funds and closed-end mutual funds. Blackstone also provides various financial advisory services, including financial and strategic advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services.
Please see: www.blackstone.com
Sithe Global
Sithe Global Power, LLC (Sithe Global) is 99% owned by funds managed by Blackstone. Blackstone purchased an 80% ownership interest in Sithe Global in 2005 and subsequently increased it to 99% in 2011 with the objective of facilitating Sithe Global's plans to develop, finance, construct and operate electric power generation facilities in the U.S. and certain other international markets. Sithe Global has a portfolio of power projects in various stages of development and construction in the Philippines, India, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and other regions totaling approximately 5,000 MW of generating capacity. Sithe Global also continues to pursue other opportunities within Africa.
Sithe Global is led by a seasoned management and technical team with extensive independent power project development experience, and a proven record of identifying project development and acquisition opportunities which create substantial value for its investors. The Sithe Global management team has successfully developed over 50 power projects in nine countries with a capital investment in excess of $5 billion.
Please see: www.sitheglobal.com
Contacts
For More Information:
Aga Khan Development Network France
Semin Abdulla
Senior Communications Officer
[email protected]
or
Public Affairs
Blackstone
Oriane Schwartzman, +1-347-446-8310
[email protected]
or
Christine Anderson, +1-212-583-5182
[email protected]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201210081208.html
Uganda: Top Jubilee Gifts to Ugandans
By Carol Natukunda, 8 October 2012
For decades, we were in the dark. Whether you had paid your bills or not, electricity in our houses was hardly on.
So the completion of Bujagali power project was a Godsend. In an era where we are using everything with power - cooking, washing, hairdressing - the demand keeps growing. Bujagali contributes 250 Mega Watts (MW) to the national grid.
Until late July this year, power demand during peak hours (7:00pm - midnight), was at 443MW, yet available electricity was about 330MW, which ensured the economy continued to suffer from power blackouts.
Electricity supply has now increased to 580MW, thanks to the timely completion of the Bujagali hydropower project. Dr. Benon Mutambi, the Electricity Regulatory Authority chief, says power demand is growing at 10% per annum.
"It means that every year we should be able to commission a 50MW project online if we are to avoid going back to the situation we were in a few months ago," Mutambi said.
Karuma, which has stalled for some time, is expected to be completed in a few years. But Uganda is an endowed country and experts see no reason why we should not tap renewable options like solar, wind power and biomass.
Uganda: Top Jubilee Gifts to Ugandans
By Carol Natukunda, 8 October 2012
For decades, we were in the dark. Whether you had paid your bills or not, electricity in our houses was hardly on.
So the completion of Bujagali power project was a Godsend. In an era where we are using everything with power - cooking, washing, hairdressing - the demand keeps growing. Bujagali contributes 250 Mega Watts (MW) to the national grid.
Until late July this year, power demand during peak hours (7:00pm - midnight), was at 443MW, yet available electricity was about 330MW, which ensured the economy continued to suffer from power blackouts.
Electricity supply has now increased to 580MW, thanks to the timely completion of the Bujagali hydropower project. Dr. Benon Mutambi, the Electricity Regulatory Authority chief, says power demand is growing at 10% per annum.
"It means that every year we should be able to commission a 50MW project online if we are to avoid going back to the situation we were in a few months ago," Mutambi said.
Karuma, which has stalled for some time, is expected to be completed in a few years. But Uganda is an endowed country and experts see no reason why we should not tap renewable options like solar, wind power and biomass.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201210070364.html
Uganda: Evolution of the 250 MW Bujagali Dam
By Ibrahim Kasita, 7 October 2012
The 250megawatts (MW) Bujagali hydropower plant started commercial operation on August 1, doubling Uganda's electricity supply.
This was after successful completion of the mandatory reliability tests run for all the five units on June 13, which confirmed that the individual units were capable of delivering the unit contract capacity of 50MW, with five units operating together.
Kabagambe Kaliisa, the energy ministry permanent secretary, said the plant is meeting 49% of Uganda's energy needs.
But Bujagali project started supplying electricity to the national grid in February when the first of the five units was commissioned.
The unit-by-unit commissioning was in response to the energy ministry's strategic decision to replace the expensive thermal power generation at the earliest date and minimise loadshedding.
Cheaper electricity
The move was aimed at saving the money that was used to pay for the expensive thermal power operations.
The level of subsidy (payment for thermal power) had reached unsustainable levels and the cumulative amount of subsidy paid out was $9.5m per month.
During the four-year construction period, the project created about 3,000 jobs, improved community services such as clean water supply, education and health facilities in nearby villages.
Most important is that the project has preserved the environment, while bringing substantial benefits for Ugandans - increased electricity supply, lower electricity costs, improved air quality (generators switched off), jobs and improvement for nearby villages.
Public-Private Partnership
The project was established through a public-private partnership model between the Government, a consortium of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) and US Blackstone affiliates.
This partnership created the Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), which will own the plant for a 30-year concession period before transferring it to Uganda for $1.
"The project serves as an example of successful private-partnership model, ideal for replication through the region," Mahmood Ahmed, the Aga Khan Development Network country representative, said.
Best PPP model in the world
Uganda's energy ministry has been nominated for the World Finance Public-Private Partnership Awards of 2013 for the good job done. Alex Reid, the executive director of World Finance, which is organising the awards, said the nomination is in recognition of the work on the Bujagali Hydropower Project.
"It is considered by the judges as an 'exemplar of good practice' and is in a very strong position to win," he said.
The project lenders
Multi-lateral lenders funded the close to $900m power project. They include the World Bank Group, European Investment Bank, African Development Bank, Netherlands' Development Finance Company FMO, Germany's development banks KfW and DEG.
Commercial Banks included South Africa's ABSA Capital and Standard Chartered Bank. The World Bank Group, through its agencies like the International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Development Association (IDA) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), is the leading project lender.
Bujagali timeline
1994: Bujagali hydropower project conceived as the leastcost project.
1996: In February, the Government signs a $450m pact with US power giant AES Corporation to undertake the project. AES was a joint venture with Madhvani International.
In March, the World Bank's inspection panel approves the project and AES submits a draft Environment Impact Study (EIS) report to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
In November, AES announces that the project will deliver power by 2004. MPs approve the project.
In December, the cost of the project increases to $520m, which the Government and AES agree upon.
2002: In July, AES uncovers a bribery scandal and a wrangle erupts between traditional healers and the Bujagali oracle over compensation funds. It was alleged that Richard Kaijuka, the World Bank's associate director, was bribed $10,000 to support the project. This forced Kaijuka to resign.
In August, MPs begin querying the financial muscle of AES, hence delaying the project.
In June: Two construction firms Veidekke and Skanska pull out due to bribery and environmental controversies. The Government asks AES to lower the project cost.
In August, the World Bank reassures that it is going to fund the project. AES pulls out as the World Bank board is about to end the financial closure. The Government takes over AES' assets.
In September, the Government invites new developers and says the project will be developed before the one at Karuma.
2005: In February, the Government drafts the evaluation criteria for proposals for the project's development. Firms submit bids, but a consortium of Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) and Sithe Global emerge the best.
In December, UETCL signs a power purchase agreement and implementation agreement with BEL.
In early April: NAPE conducts its own public hearing against Uganda's laws.
2006: In mid-April, NEMA conducts a national stakeholders' public hearing at Jinja, where the affected community is located and promises to release a final verdict before the end of April.
April 26-28: The World Bank discusses the financial closure of the project.
In May: The World Bank Board of Directors approved a $360m loan to cement its support of the construction of the dam
June: The Government advances $90m to BEL to kick start and mobilise the equipment on site
August 21: President Yoweri Museven and Aga Khan lay the foundation stone for the Bujagali hydropower project.
September: The left hand side of the Bujagali Dumbell Island is blocked using cofferdams to provide room for construction of the power house.
2010 November: Right hand side of the Bujagali Dumbell is Island blocked but water start passing the power station
December: The contractor experiences unfavourable ground conditions (soft rocks instead of hard-rocks). Work is temporary delayed as the contractor digs out the soft rock to replace it with hard concrete cement to strengthen the integrity of the dam.
2012 February: Unit 1 tested and commissioned on the national grid (Kiira thermal power switched off.)
March: Unit 2 is tested and commissioned to the national grid (Mutundwe thermal plan switched off)
April: Unit 3 tested and commissioned onto the national grid. (Power from Namanve and Tororo thermal power plants reduced significantly)
May: Unit 4 tested and commissioned onto the national grid. (Day-time load-shedding eliminated completely
June 13: Unit 5 and final unit tested and commissioned on the national grid. (Day and night load-shedding eliminated).
August 1: Commencement of the Commercial Operations Date of the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Project.
October 8: President Museveni and His Highness The Aga Khan will officially inaugurate the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Project coinciding with celebrations to mark 50 years of Uganda's independence.
Uganda: Evolution of the 250 MW Bujagali Dam
By Ibrahim Kasita, 7 October 2012
The 250megawatts (MW) Bujagali hydropower plant started commercial operation on August 1, doubling Uganda's electricity supply.
This was after successful completion of the mandatory reliability tests run for all the five units on June 13, which confirmed that the individual units were capable of delivering the unit contract capacity of 50MW, with five units operating together.
Kabagambe Kaliisa, the energy ministry permanent secretary, said the plant is meeting 49% of Uganda's energy needs.
But Bujagali project started supplying electricity to the national grid in February when the first of the five units was commissioned.
The unit-by-unit commissioning was in response to the energy ministry's strategic decision to replace the expensive thermal power generation at the earliest date and minimise loadshedding.
Cheaper electricity
The move was aimed at saving the money that was used to pay for the expensive thermal power operations.
The level of subsidy (payment for thermal power) had reached unsustainable levels and the cumulative amount of subsidy paid out was $9.5m per month.
During the four-year construction period, the project created about 3,000 jobs, improved community services such as clean water supply, education and health facilities in nearby villages.
Most important is that the project has preserved the environment, while bringing substantial benefits for Ugandans - increased electricity supply, lower electricity costs, improved air quality (generators switched off), jobs and improvement for nearby villages.
Public-Private Partnership
The project was established through a public-private partnership model between the Government, a consortium of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) and US Blackstone affiliates.
This partnership created the Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), which will own the plant for a 30-year concession period before transferring it to Uganda for $1.
"The project serves as an example of successful private-partnership model, ideal for replication through the region," Mahmood Ahmed, the Aga Khan Development Network country representative, said.
Best PPP model in the world
Uganda's energy ministry has been nominated for the World Finance Public-Private Partnership Awards of 2013 for the good job done. Alex Reid, the executive director of World Finance, which is organising the awards, said the nomination is in recognition of the work on the Bujagali Hydropower Project.
"It is considered by the judges as an 'exemplar of good practice' and is in a very strong position to win," he said.
The project lenders
Multi-lateral lenders funded the close to $900m power project. They include the World Bank Group, European Investment Bank, African Development Bank, Netherlands' Development Finance Company FMO, Germany's development banks KfW and DEG.
Commercial Banks included South Africa's ABSA Capital and Standard Chartered Bank. The World Bank Group, through its agencies like the International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Development Association (IDA) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), is the leading project lender.
Bujagali timeline
1994: Bujagali hydropower project conceived as the leastcost project.
1996: In February, the Government signs a $450m pact with US power giant AES Corporation to undertake the project. AES was a joint venture with Madhvani International.
In March, the World Bank's inspection panel approves the project and AES submits a draft Environment Impact Study (EIS) report to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
In November, AES announces that the project will deliver power by 2004. MPs approve the project.
In December, the cost of the project increases to $520m, which the Government and AES agree upon.
2002: In July, AES uncovers a bribery scandal and a wrangle erupts between traditional healers and the Bujagali oracle over compensation funds. It was alleged that Richard Kaijuka, the World Bank's associate director, was bribed $10,000 to support the project. This forced Kaijuka to resign.
In August, MPs begin querying the financial muscle of AES, hence delaying the project.
In June: Two construction firms Veidekke and Skanska pull out due to bribery and environmental controversies. The Government asks AES to lower the project cost.
In August, the World Bank reassures that it is going to fund the project. AES pulls out as the World Bank board is about to end the financial closure. The Government takes over AES' assets.
In September, the Government invites new developers and says the project will be developed before the one at Karuma.
2005: In February, the Government drafts the evaluation criteria for proposals for the project's development. Firms submit bids, but a consortium of Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) and Sithe Global emerge the best.
In December, UETCL signs a power purchase agreement and implementation agreement with BEL.
In early April: NAPE conducts its own public hearing against Uganda's laws.
2006: In mid-April, NEMA conducts a national stakeholders' public hearing at Jinja, where the affected community is located and promises to release a final verdict before the end of April.
April 26-28: The World Bank discusses the financial closure of the project.
In May: The World Bank Board of Directors approved a $360m loan to cement its support of the construction of the dam
June: The Government advances $90m to BEL to kick start and mobilise the equipment on site
August 21: President Yoweri Museven and Aga Khan lay the foundation stone for the Bujagali hydropower project.
September: The left hand side of the Bujagali Dumbell Island is blocked using cofferdams to provide room for construction of the power house.
2010 November: Right hand side of the Bujagali Dumbell is Island blocked but water start passing the power station
December: The contractor experiences unfavourable ground conditions (soft rocks instead of hard-rocks). Work is temporary delayed as the contractor digs out the soft rock to replace it with hard concrete cement to strengthen the integrity of the dam.
2012 February: Unit 1 tested and commissioned on the national grid (Kiira thermal power switched off.)
March: Unit 2 is tested and commissioned to the national grid (Mutundwe thermal plan switched off)
April: Unit 3 tested and commissioned onto the national grid. (Power from Namanve and Tororo thermal power plants reduced significantly)
May: Unit 4 tested and commissioned onto the national grid. (Day-time load-shedding eliminated completely
June 13: Unit 5 and final unit tested and commissioned on the national grid. (Day and night load-shedding eliminated).
August 1: Commencement of the Commercial Operations Date of the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Project.
October 8: President Museveni and His Highness The Aga Khan will officially inaugurate the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Project coinciding with celebrations to mark 50 years of Uganda's independence.
New Vision
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636134- ... i-dam.html
President Museveni greets His Highness Aga Khan at the launch of the Bujagali dam Monday afternoon.
Photo by Matthias Mugisha
Museveni commissions Bujagali dam
Publish Date: Oct 08, 2012
A cultural group entertains guests. Photo by Donald Kirya
newvision
By Vision Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni has criticized African past leaders and intellectuals for neglecting the energy sector a crucial tool for social transformation and modernization.
"One of the mistakes made by Africa's past leaders and intellectuals was to neglect the energy sector," Museveni made the remark while commissioning the Bujagali Hydropower project, a 250-megawatt power plant on River Nile.
The President said most African countries would now be modern economies if their past laeders had invested in power generation.
President Museveni (L) being welcomed by Energy Minister Irene Muloni (4th R) at the commissioning ceremony of Bujagali Hydro Power project in Buikwe on Monday. Looking on is Lands Minister Daudi Migereko (3rd R). Photo by Donald Kiirya
He assured Ugandans that upon completion of the last phase of the Bujagalai project, the country will not experience powers cuts again.
Some Heads of State who are in the country for the 50th Independence anniversary are also attending the function.
President Museveni greets His Highness Aga Khan at the launch of the Bujagali dam Monday afternoon.
Photo by Matthias Mugisha
Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, ministers, MPs and members of the business community among others are present.
The multi-million dollar Bujagali hydropower project adds another 250MW onto the national grid for consumption.
Consumers will not experience load-shedding at any time as power deficit has been wiped out, at least for 24 months.
Museveni (in beret) moves to switch on the power at Bujagali Hydro power station Monday afternoon.
The $860m Bujagali hydropower project was commissioned, unit by unit, in response to energy ministry’s strategic decision to replace the expensive thermal power generation at the earliest date and minimise load-shedding.
The move was aimed at saving the money that was used to pay the expensive thermal power operations. The level of subsidy (payment for thermal power) had reached unsustainable levels and the cumulative amount of subsidy paid out was sh1.5 trillion.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/636134- ... i-dam.html
President Museveni greets His Highness Aga Khan at the launch of the Bujagali dam Monday afternoon.
Photo by Matthias Mugisha
Museveni commissions Bujagali dam
Publish Date: Oct 08, 2012
A cultural group entertains guests. Photo by Donald Kirya
newvision
By Vision Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni has criticized African past leaders and intellectuals for neglecting the energy sector a crucial tool for social transformation and modernization.
"One of the mistakes made by Africa's past leaders and intellectuals was to neglect the energy sector," Museveni made the remark while commissioning the Bujagali Hydropower project, a 250-megawatt power plant on River Nile.
The President said most African countries would now be modern economies if their past laeders had invested in power generation.
President Museveni (L) being welcomed by Energy Minister Irene Muloni (4th R) at the commissioning ceremony of Bujagali Hydro Power project in Buikwe on Monday. Looking on is Lands Minister Daudi Migereko (3rd R). Photo by Donald Kiirya
He assured Ugandans that upon completion of the last phase of the Bujagalai project, the country will not experience powers cuts again.
Some Heads of State who are in the country for the 50th Independence anniversary are also attending the function.
President Museveni greets His Highness Aga Khan at the launch of the Bujagali dam Monday afternoon.
Photo by Matthias Mugisha
Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, ministers, MPs and members of the business community among others are present.
The multi-million dollar Bujagali hydropower project adds another 250MW onto the national grid for consumption.
Consumers will not experience load-shedding at any time as power deficit has been wiped out, at least for 24 months.
Museveni (in beret) moves to switch on the power at Bujagali Hydro power station Monday afternoon.
The $860m Bujagali hydropower project was commissioned, unit by unit, in response to energy ministry’s strategic decision to replace the expensive thermal power generation at the earliest date and minimise load-shedding.
The move was aimed at saving the money that was used to pay the expensive thermal power operations. The level of subsidy (payment for thermal power) had reached unsustainable levels and the cumulative amount of subsidy paid out was sh1.5 trillion.
http://www.akdn.org/content/1149
Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Bujagali Hydropower Project
08 October 2012
Bismillah-ir-Rahaman-ir-Rahim
Your Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, and Your Excellency, the First Lady,
Your Excellency, President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi,
Your Excellency, President Salva Kiir of the Republic of South Sudan,
Your Excellency, President Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic,
Your Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal, Vice President of Tanzania,
Your Excellency, Mr Alhaji Adam Yusuf, Vice President of the Republic of Southern Sudan,
Hon. Minister of Defence of the Republic of Congo,
Hon. Minister of Defence of Angola,
Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, of Zambia,
The Rt. Hon Prime Minister of Uganda,
Hon. Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda,
Honourable Ministers,
Secretary General of the East African Community,
Secretary General of the Great Lakes Region,
Your Excellencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps,
All other holders of high office and distinguished guests,
I want to mark this occasion as an occasion of very very great significance.
First of all, we are here to celebrate the 50 years of independence of Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. And it is an honour to be celebrating this event in the presence of President Museveni and so many distinguished leaders of other African nations.
It is also a pleasure to be joined today by all of you at the inauguration of the Bujagali Hydropower Plant - a momentous accomplishment that will open the door for continuing and expanding progress. It is not only a transformative development in the economic life of Uganda – and of the continent – but it is also an inspiring model of how such change can best be accomplished.
As we inaugurate the model today, I have two short comments I want to share with you:
The first is my admiration for the extraordinary diversity of men and women who came together to produce this remarkable project. We had planners and financiers, engineers and architects, scientists and government officials, suppliers and contractors, consultants, construction workers, and community leaders. And we had President Museveni and his government.
Their story is a compelling one, because in a project of this complexity, there are surprises that occur. When you have that number of participants working together for a five year period, those surprises have to be addressed by consensus; they cannot be addressed in any other way. And I would like to express my admiration for all the stakeholders who worked in such a united manner moving forward in the interest of the project and the interest of Uganda.
Let me give you one small example of the sort of issues that arose. The grid had to link to 100 kilometres of cable, and in order to do that, we had to cross 2,632 separate land parcels. That was just one small part of this vast endeavour.
At its heart, the Bujagali project is a Ugandan project. It is a Ugandan success story and again I would like to thank the President for having led this initiative in a way where this unique public private partnership was able to move forwards.
But this is not only a Ugandan project - it is a global project. As Nizar Juma said, 37 different nationalities participated from around the world to make this project move forwards.
The second point I would make is that this project has not stopped at the delivery of energy. It is investing in education, it is investing in healthcare, it is investing in social development, it is investing in all those aspects which improve the quality of life of people who live within the ambit of the project. And I think this is an important lesson to be learnt, because ultimately the goal is to improve the quality of life of people in the most complete manner possible.
Finally, let me address my thanks to all the stakeholders who have worked so well here. And I would refer to the project managers, to the contractors, to the workmen, to the lenders, who were very empathetic at a time when we needed their empathy, and I hope what we have learnt from this project, will give Uganda replicable knowledge for the benefit of all of Africa.
http://www.akdn.org/content/1149
Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Bujagali Hydropower Project
08 October 2012
Bismillah-ir-Rahaman-ir-Rahim
Your Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, and Your Excellency, the First Lady,
Your Excellency, President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi,
Your Excellency, President Salva Kiir of the Republic of South Sudan,
Your Excellency, President Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic,
Your Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal, Vice President of Tanzania,
Your Excellency, Mr Alhaji Adam Yusuf, Vice President of the Republic of Southern Sudan,
Hon. Minister of Defence of the Republic of Congo,
Hon. Minister of Defence of Angola,
Hon. Minister of Home Affairs, of Zambia,
The Rt. Hon Prime Minister of Uganda,
Hon. Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda,
Honourable Ministers,
Secretary General of the East African Community,
Secretary General of the Great Lakes Region,
Your Excellencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps,
All other holders of high office and distinguished guests,
I want to mark this occasion as an occasion of very very great significance.
First of all, we are here to celebrate the 50 years of independence of Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. And it is an honour to be celebrating this event in the presence of President Museveni and so many distinguished leaders of other African nations.
It is also a pleasure to be joined today by all of you at the inauguration of the Bujagali Hydropower Plant - a momentous accomplishment that will open the door for continuing and expanding progress. It is not only a transformative development in the economic life of Uganda – and of the continent – but it is also an inspiring model of how such change can best be accomplished.
As we inaugurate the model today, I have two short comments I want to share with you:
The first is my admiration for the extraordinary diversity of men and women who came together to produce this remarkable project. We had planners and financiers, engineers and architects, scientists and government officials, suppliers and contractors, consultants, construction workers, and community leaders. And we had President Museveni and his government.
Their story is a compelling one, because in a project of this complexity, there are surprises that occur. When you have that number of participants working together for a five year period, those surprises have to be addressed by consensus; they cannot be addressed in any other way. And I would like to express my admiration for all the stakeholders who worked in such a united manner moving forward in the interest of the project and the interest of Uganda.
Let me give you one small example of the sort of issues that arose. The grid had to link to 100 kilometres of cable, and in order to do that, we had to cross 2,632 separate land parcels. That was just one small part of this vast endeavour.
At its heart, the Bujagali project is a Ugandan project. It is a Ugandan success story and again I would like to thank the President for having led this initiative in a way where this unique public private partnership was able to move forwards.
But this is not only a Ugandan project - it is a global project. As Nizar Juma said, 37 different nationalities participated from around the world to make this project move forwards.
The second point I would make is that this project has not stopped at the delivery of energy. It is investing in education, it is investing in healthcare, it is investing in social development, it is investing in all those aspects which improve the quality of life of people who live within the ambit of the project. And I think this is an important lesson to be learnt, because ultimately the goal is to improve the quality of life of people in the most complete manner possible.
Finally, let me address my thanks to all the stakeholders who have worked so well here. And I would refer to the project managers, to the contractors, to the workmen, to the lenders, who were very empathetic at a time when we needed their empathy, and I hope what we have learnt from this project, will give Uganda replicable knowledge for the benefit of all of Africa.
http://www.akdn.org/content/1149
http://www.4-traders.com/news/EIB-Europ ... -15315619/
EIB - European Investment Bank : Hydropower for Uganda
10/08/2012 | 11:27am US/Eastern
The USD 900m Bujagali hydropower plant on the River Nile near Jinja, Uganda, funded by the EIB, World Bank, African Development Bank, AFD, FMO and others, was inaugurated on Monday by President Yoweri Museveni.
The 250-megawatt power-generating facility will address the severe shortage of electricity in Uganda, a country with an acute need for new power sources.
Many Ugandans regularly experience rotating blackouts of up to 12-24 hours daily.
This lack of power is negatively affecting the Ugandan economy and its citizens because, in many areas, electricity is being produced by expensive and polluting stand-by power generators.
Alongside increasing the supply of reliable electricity the Bujagali power plant will lower energy costs, improve air quality, provide more than 3,000 jobs during construction and contribute to improved education, health and water supply in nearby villages.
It will reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses in Uganda as hydropower electricity does not cause emissions of CO2 and as it will replace electricity generated by diesel and fuel oil generators, that emit considerable volumes of CO2 that contribute to global warming The Bujagali hydropower plant is being inaugurated on the eve of Uganda's 50th Independence anniversary.
EIB - European Investment Bank : Hydropower for Uganda
10/08/2012 | 11:27am US/Eastern
The USD 900m Bujagali hydropower plant on the River Nile near Jinja, Uganda, funded by the EIB, World Bank, African Development Bank, AFD, FMO and others, was inaugurated on Monday by President Yoweri Museveni.
The 250-megawatt power-generating facility will address the severe shortage of electricity in Uganda, a country with an acute need for new power sources.
Many Ugandans regularly experience rotating blackouts of up to 12-24 hours daily.
This lack of power is negatively affecting the Ugandan economy and its citizens because, in many areas, electricity is being produced by expensive and polluting stand-by power generators.
Alongside increasing the supply of reliable electricity the Bujagali power plant will lower energy costs, improve air quality, provide more than 3,000 jobs during construction and contribute to improved education, health and water supply in nearby villages.
It will reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses in Uganda as hydropower electricity does not cause emissions of CO2 and as it will replace electricity generated by diesel and fuel oil generators, that emit considerable volumes of CO2 that contribute to global warming The Bujagali hydropower plant is being inaugurated on the eve of Uganda's 50th Independence anniversary.
President Museveni and the Aga Khan Inaugurate Bujagali Hydropower Plant
http://www.akdn.org/Content/1150
Please also see:
Speeches by the Aga Khan, Nizar Juma, Chairman of Bujagali Energy Ltd — Videos: Powering Uganda's Future and A Brighter Future for Uganda — Photographs of the Inauguration Ceremony, and the Bujagali Hydropower Project — Project Brief.
En français: Communiqué de presse — Dossier du project
Established through a unique public-private partnership, the project will drive economic growth and provide clean, reliable power for Uganda
Completion of project showcases successful public-private partnership for infrastructure development, bringing together the Government of Uganda, Industrial Promotion Services (IPS - the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) and Blackstone Portfolio Company, Sithe Global.
The 250MW hydropower plant has close to doubled Uganda’s electricity supply and virtually eliminated load-shedding.
The total project cost is US$900 million.
Jinja, Uganda, 8 October 2012 — His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today inaugurated the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Plant in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan.
Constructed at a cost of US$900 million, Bujagali has been jointly developed by Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Sithe Global Power LLC (USA), a company majority-owned by a fund, Blackstone Capital Partners IV, L.P., managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors, and the Government of Uganda. Bujagali, which is a clean and renewable source of generation, nearly doubles the country’s effective generation capacity, thereby eliminating the over 12-hour daily load-shedding that up until recently characterized Uganda’s power sector.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place on the eve of celebrations marking 50 years of Uganda’s independence, was attended by government officials, heads of State from across Africa, international dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community.
Speaking at the commissioning event, H.E. President Yoweri Museveni emphasised the importance of the Bujagali Plant and a stable, reliable and plentiful electricity supply, to the welfare and development of Uganda and its people. He thanked the project partners for having delivered the plant on schedule and commended His Highness for his role in establishing a successful consortium.
Bujagali represents one of the largest privately-funded power sector investments ever made in Sub-Saharan Africa and sets a unique precedent for public-private partnerships. The plant will be operated by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), a company established by the project sponsors and the government of Uganda for the sole purpose of developing and subsequently operating the plant for a 30-year period, following which it will be transferred to the government of Uganda for a nominal price of US one dollar.
“At its heart, the Bujagali project is a Ugandan project. It is a Ugandan success story and I would like to thank the President for having led this initiative in a way where this unique public private partnership was able to move forward,” said His Highness the Aga Khan at the ceremony. “This project has not stopped at the delivery of energy. It is investing in education, healthcare and social development, and all those aspects which improve the quality of life of people who live within the ambit of the project. I think this is an important lesson to be learnt, because ultimately the goal is to improve the quality of life of people in the most complete manner possible,” he further added.
The plant, construction of which commenced in August 2007, not only guarantees adequate power generation for Uganda in the medium-term, but, importantly, lowers the base cost of electricity in the country. Bujagali comprises five units of 50MW each, commissioned in phases between February 2012 and June 2012.
“That a project of Bujagali’s size and complexity has been completed on time and within budget whilst adhering to the highest technical as well as social and environmental standards is a huge testimony to the quality and experience of the sponsor, development and construction teams, with whom I am truly proud to be associated. The Bujagali experience is invaluable and we will certainly draw from it when developing future projects in the region,” observed Mr. Nizar Juma, the Chairman of Bujagali Energy Ltd.
Uganda’s electricity demand has been growing by 10% every year, while supply prior to the commissioning of Bujagali has remained stagnant. Frequent load-shedding accounted for between 1 to 1.5% loss to Uganda’s GDP, thereby slowing the country’s economic and social development. Since its commissioning, Bujagali has replaced over 100MW of expensive rental generation, saving the government over US$9.5 million per month in subsidies. It is expected to be an important catalyst for accelerated social and economic growth throughout the region.
The project serves as an example of a highly successful public-private partnership model, ideal for replication throughout the region.
Speaking at the event, David Foley, Senior Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone Energy Partners, said “Bujagali showcases how successful partnerships between the public and private sectors can create development opportunities for growing economies. Blackstone is proud to have played an important role together with our partner, His Highness the Aga Khan, in the development of Bujagali, the successful completion of which is a credit to President Museveni and the leadership of the Government of Uganda. Africa is a resource-rich continent and is primed for the development of hydroelectric power generation facilities like Bujagali. On behalf of our investors, Blackstone has invested billions of dollars of equity capital to build energy businesses on four continents around the globe and will continue to invest in emerging market countries to provide them with affordable, safe and reliable energy to sustain their economic growth.”
During the peak of construction, Bujagali Hydropower Plant employed approximately 3,000 workers, of which 2,000 of the most highly skilled continue to positively contribute to the Ugandan power sector, and also to the country’s construction industry. The plant has also led to improved community services such as clean water supply, improved education and health facilities in nearby villages, micro-credit funds to surrounding rural populations and enhanced infrastructure. Access to electricity is also being provided.
The Plant has been registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), making it the largest CDM project registered in a Least Developed Country. Bujagali will yield an average of 900,000 Carbon Dioxide Emission Reductions (CERs) annually, putting it at the forefront of clean energy efforts.
Bruce J. Wrobel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sithe Global who was also present at the commissioning said, “We believe that projects like Bujagali, which has both impacted the energy sector in Uganda in a far-reaching positive way and mitigated the ecological footprint of a generation, is the key to sustainable development. We are proud to have joined our partners, the lenders and the Government of Uganda in bringing this project to a reality and it is gratifying to see the impacts the project is already having, not only by making available ample, clean, renewable energy, but also by having a positive effect on the lives of the people living in the community and region around this project.”
The project was also made possible by support from a number of other lenders: International Finance Corporation (“IFC”), the European Investment Bank, African Development Bank (“AfDB”), Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelinsslanden N.V. (“FMO”), Societe de Promotion et de Participation pour la Cooperation Economique (“Proparco”)/Agence Francaise de Development (“AFD”), DEG-Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft MBH (“DEG”) and KfW. Barclays/ABSA Capital and Standard Chartered Bank are providing commercial debt under an International Development Association (“IDA”) Partial Risk Guarantee, while MIGA is providing insurance guarantee cover for Sithe Global’s equity.
For more information, please contact:
Contact: Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL)
Dr Kevin Kariuki
[email protected]
+254-20-3280000/2228026
Semin Abdulla
Aga Khan Development Network
[email protected]
+33344584000
Oriane Schwartzman
Public Affairs
Blackstone
[email protected]
+1-212-390-2250
http://www.akdn.org/Content/1150
Please also see:
Speeches by the Aga Khan, Nizar Juma, Chairman of Bujagali Energy Ltd — Videos: Powering Uganda's Future and A Brighter Future for Uganda — Photographs of the Inauguration Ceremony, and the Bujagali Hydropower Project — Project Brief.
En français: Communiqué de presse — Dossier du project
Established through a unique public-private partnership, the project will drive economic growth and provide clean, reliable power for Uganda
Completion of project showcases successful public-private partnership for infrastructure development, bringing together the Government of Uganda, Industrial Promotion Services (IPS - the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) and Blackstone Portfolio Company, Sithe Global.
The 250MW hydropower plant has close to doubled Uganda’s electricity supply and virtually eliminated load-shedding.
The total project cost is US$900 million.
Jinja, Uganda, 8 October 2012 — His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today inaugurated the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Plant in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan.
Constructed at a cost of US$900 million, Bujagali has been jointly developed by Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Sithe Global Power LLC (USA), a company majority-owned by a fund, Blackstone Capital Partners IV, L.P., managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors, and the Government of Uganda. Bujagali, which is a clean and renewable source of generation, nearly doubles the country’s effective generation capacity, thereby eliminating the over 12-hour daily load-shedding that up until recently characterized Uganda’s power sector.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place on the eve of celebrations marking 50 years of Uganda’s independence, was attended by government officials, heads of State from across Africa, international dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community.
Speaking at the commissioning event, H.E. President Yoweri Museveni emphasised the importance of the Bujagali Plant and a stable, reliable and plentiful electricity supply, to the welfare and development of Uganda and its people. He thanked the project partners for having delivered the plant on schedule and commended His Highness for his role in establishing a successful consortium.
Bujagali represents one of the largest privately-funded power sector investments ever made in Sub-Saharan Africa and sets a unique precedent for public-private partnerships. The plant will be operated by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), a company established by the project sponsors and the government of Uganda for the sole purpose of developing and subsequently operating the plant for a 30-year period, following which it will be transferred to the government of Uganda for a nominal price of US one dollar.
“At its heart, the Bujagali project is a Ugandan project. It is a Ugandan success story and I would like to thank the President for having led this initiative in a way where this unique public private partnership was able to move forward,” said His Highness the Aga Khan at the ceremony. “This project has not stopped at the delivery of energy. It is investing in education, healthcare and social development, and all those aspects which improve the quality of life of people who live within the ambit of the project. I think this is an important lesson to be learnt, because ultimately the goal is to improve the quality of life of people in the most complete manner possible,” he further added.
The plant, construction of which commenced in August 2007, not only guarantees adequate power generation for Uganda in the medium-term, but, importantly, lowers the base cost of electricity in the country. Bujagali comprises five units of 50MW each, commissioned in phases between February 2012 and June 2012.
“That a project of Bujagali’s size and complexity has been completed on time and within budget whilst adhering to the highest technical as well as social and environmental standards is a huge testimony to the quality and experience of the sponsor, development and construction teams, with whom I am truly proud to be associated. The Bujagali experience is invaluable and we will certainly draw from it when developing future projects in the region,” observed Mr. Nizar Juma, the Chairman of Bujagali Energy Ltd.
Uganda’s electricity demand has been growing by 10% every year, while supply prior to the commissioning of Bujagali has remained stagnant. Frequent load-shedding accounted for between 1 to 1.5% loss to Uganda’s GDP, thereby slowing the country’s economic and social development. Since its commissioning, Bujagali has replaced over 100MW of expensive rental generation, saving the government over US$9.5 million per month in subsidies. It is expected to be an important catalyst for accelerated social and economic growth throughout the region.
The project serves as an example of a highly successful public-private partnership model, ideal for replication throughout the region.
Speaking at the event, David Foley, Senior Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone Energy Partners, said “Bujagali showcases how successful partnerships between the public and private sectors can create development opportunities for growing economies. Blackstone is proud to have played an important role together with our partner, His Highness the Aga Khan, in the development of Bujagali, the successful completion of which is a credit to President Museveni and the leadership of the Government of Uganda. Africa is a resource-rich continent and is primed for the development of hydroelectric power generation facilities like Bujagali. On behalf of our investors, Blackstone has invested billions of dollars of equity capital to build energy businesses on four continents around the globe and will continue to invest in emerging market countries to provide them with affordable, safe and reliable energy to sustain their economic growth.”
During the peak of construction, Bujagali Hydropower Plant employed approximately 3,000 workers, of which 2,000 of the most highly skilled continue to positively contribute to the Ugandan power sector, and also to the country’s construction industry. The plant has also led to improved community services such as clean water supply, improved education and health facilities in nearby villages, micro-credit funds to surrounding rural populations and enhanced infrastructure. Access to electricity is also being provided.
The Plant has been registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), making it the largest CDM project registered in a Least Developed Country. Bujagali will yield an average of 900,000 Carbon Dioxide Emission Reductions (CERs) annually, putting it at the forefront of clean energy efforts.
Bruce J. Wrobel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sithe Global who was also present at the commissioning said, “We believe that projects like Bujagali, which has both impacted the energy sector in Uganda in a far-reaching positive way and mitigated the ecological footprint of a generation, is the key to sustainable development. We are proud to have joined our partners, the lenders and the Government of Uganda in bringing this project to a reality and it is gratifying to see the impacts the project is already having, not only by making available ample, clean, renewable energy, but also by having a positive effect on the lives of the people living in the community and region around this project.”
The project was also made possible by support from a number of other lenders: International Finance Corporation (“IFC”), the European Investment Bank, African Development Bank (“AfDB”), Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelinsslanden N.V. (“FMO”), Societe de Promotion et de Participation pour la Cooperation Economique (“Proparco”)/Agence Francaise de Development (“AFD”), DEG-Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft MBH (“DEG”) and KfW. Barclays/ABSA Capital and Standard Chartered Bank are providing commercial debt under an International Development Association (“IDA”) Partial Risk Guarantee, while MIGA is providing insurance guarantee cover for Sithe Global’s equity.
For more information, please contact:
Contact: Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL)
Dr Kevin Kariuki
[email protected]
+254-20-3280000/2228026
Semin Abdulla
Aga Khan Development Network
[email protected]
+33344584000
Oriane Schwartzman
Public Affairs
Blackstone
[email protected]
+1-212-390-2250
Last edited by kmaherali on Wed Oct 10, 2012 5:32 pm, edited 11 times in total.
East Africa power supply gets boost as new plant launched
Wednesday, 10 October 2012 22:29
By Alawi Masare
The Citizen Reporter
Jinja.The East African electricity pool got a boost thanks to the just completed Uganda’s 250 megawatt Bujagali hydro power plant on Nile River. The $900 million investment project was inaugurated by President Yoweri Museveni and His Highness the Aga Khan just a day before Uganda’s independence celebrations that took place on Tuesday.
The plant – cited by His Highness the Aga Khan as proof of a successful public private partnership – was a joint venture between the government of Uganda and The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and has five units each generating 50 MW on River Nile.
Speaking at the power plant commissioning ceremony, Pesident Museveni could not hide his excitement over the project.“There is nothing one can do to bring about development in the absence of electricity. Thank you for completing it on time and you are welcome for more power projects,” he said.
The first unit was switched on for the first time in February, while the last started operating in June.
It is expected that with the power boost the Ugandan economic growth will rebound at the rate of 1.5 per cent, which reflects the rate at which it was shrinking in recent years.
“In essence, Bujagali project is a Ugandan project. It is a Ugandan success story and again I would like to thank the President for having led this initiative in a way where the unique public private partnership was able to move forward,” said His Highness the Aga Khan.
Bujagali project has been jointly developed by Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), which is the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, in collaboration with Sithe Global and the government of Uganda.
The plant will be operated by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), a company established by the project sponsors and the government of Uganda for the purpose of developing and subsequently operating the plant for a 30-year period, following which it will be transferred to the government of Uganda for a nominal price of $1.
It took five years to complete. It will save the government approximately $9.5 million per month in subsidies necessary to keep electricity tariffs at an affordable level. Since it became operational in June this year, the 250MW power plant has almost doubled Uganda’s electricity supply, currently meeting about 49 per cent of the country’s energy requirements.
http://thecitizen.co.tz/business/13-loc ... nched.html
Wednesday, 10 October 2012 22:29
By Alawi Masare
The Citizen Reporter
Jinja.The East African electricity pool got a boost thanks to the just completed Uganda’s 250 megawatt Bujagali hydro power plant on Nile River. The $900 million investment project was inaugurated by President Yoweri Museveni and His Highness the Aga Khan just a day before Uganda’s independence celebrations that took place on Tuesday.
The plant – cited by His Highness the Aga Khan as proof of a successful public private partnership – was a joint venture between the government of Uganda and The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and has five units each generating 50 MW on River Nile.
Speaking at the power plant commissioning ceremony, Pesident Museveni could not hide his excitement over the project.“There is nothing one can do to bring about development in the absence of electricity. Thank you for completing it on time and you are welcome for more power projects,” he said.
The first unit was switched on for the first time in February, while the last started operating in June.
It is expected that with the power boost the Ugandan economic growth will rebound at the rate of 1.5 per cent, which reflects the rate at which it was shrinking in recent years.
“In essence, Bujagali project is a Ugandan project. It is a Ugandan success story and again I would like to thank the President for having led this initiative in a way where the unique public private partnership was able to move forward,” said His Highness the Aga Khan.
Bujagali project has been jointly developed by Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), which is the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, in collaboration with Sithe Global and the government of Uganda.
The plant will be operated by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), a company established by the project sponsors and the government of Uganda for the purpose of developing and subsequently operating the plant for a 30-year period, following which it will be transferred to the government of Uganda for a nominal price of $1.
It took five years to complete. It will save the government approximately $9.5 million per month in subsidies necessary to keep electricity tariffs at an affordable level. Since it became operational in June this year, the 250MW power plant has almost doubled Uganda’s electricity supply, currently meeting about 49 per cent of the country’s energy requirements.
http://thecitizen.co.tz/business/13-loc ... nched.html
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/10/08/ ... naugurate/
By Business Wire via The Motley Fool
Posted 2:05PM 10/08/12 Posted under: Investing
042200
Ugandan President Museveni and Aga Khan Inaugurate Bujagali Hydropower Plant
Established through a unique public-private partnership, the project will drive economic growth and provide clean, reliable power for Ugandans
Completion of project showcases successful public-private partnership for infrastructure development, bringing together the Government of Uganda, Industrial Promotion Services (IPS - the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) and Blackstone Portfolio Company, Sithe Global
The 250MW hydropower plant has nearly doubled Uganda's electricity supply and virtually eliminated power shortages and blackouts
The total project cost is approximately $900 million
JINJA, Uganda--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Uganda's President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, today inaugurated the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Plant in the presence of the Aga Khan and project partners Sithe Global, a company majority owned by a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors. The ceremony, which took place on the eve of celebrations marking 50 years of Uganda's independence, was attended by government officials, heads of State from across Africa, international dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community.
The plant, constructed at a cost of approximately US$900 million, was jointly funded by Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Sithe Global Power LLC (USA), a company majority owned by Blackstone Capital Partners IV, L.P., a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors, and the Government of Uganda. It has eliminated Uganda's previous energy shortage by nearly doubling the country's effective generation capacity (it currently meets 49% of the country's energy requirements) and provides clean, reliable power at lower costs than existing power generating facilities. Construction of the plant commenced in August 2007. It comprises five units of 50MW each, commissioned in phases between February 2012 and June 2012.
Bujagali represents one of the largest privately-funded power sector investments ever made in Sub-Saharan Africa and sets a unique precedent for public-private partnerships. The plant will be operated by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), a company established by the project partners to operate and manage the plant, for a 30 year period, following which it will be transferred to the government of Uganda for a nominal price of US one dollar.
Uganda's electricity demand has been growing by 10% every year, while supply prior to the commissioning of Bujagali has remained stagnant. Frequent power shortages and blackouts accounted for between 1 to 1.5% loss to Uganda's GDP, thereby slowing the country's economic development. Since the first unit became operational in February 2012, Bujagali has provided a reliable solution to Uganda's power demands, serving as a catalyst for economic growth and replacing emergency thermal generation costs, thereby saving US$ 9.5 million per month in government subsidies.
Commenting on the role of the Aga Khan Development Network, His Highness the Aga Khan, said, "But let me emphasize that this has also been a global story. As we try to count up the key participants, we find that they come from at least 37 different countries - a truly international network of partners. Those of us who represent the Aga Khan Development Network are proud to have been associated with so many fine allies in this work, including our close, central partnership with Sithe Global and Blackstone."
The project serves as an example of a highly successful public-private partnership model, ideal for replication throughout the region.
Speaking at the event, David Foley, Senior Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone Energy Partners, said, "Bujagali showcases how successful partnerships between the public and private sectors can create development opportunities for growing economies. Blackstone is proud to have played an important role, together with our partner the Aga Khan, in the development of Bujagali, the successful completion of which is a credit to the leadership of President Museveni and the commitment of the Government of Uganda. Africa is a resource rich continent and is primed for the development of hydroelectric power generation facilities like Bujagali. On behalf of our investors, Blackstone has committed billions of dollars of equity capital to build energy businesses on four continents around the globe and will continue to invest in emerging market countries to provide them with the affordable, safe and reliable energy to sustain their economic growth."
The Bujagali Hydropower Project has already impacted the surrounding communities with the creation of approximately 3,000 new jobs for Ugandan workers during peak construction; improved community services such as clean water supply, education and health facilities in nearby villages; the provision of micro-credit funds to surrounding rural populations and the enhancement of infrastructure.
"That a project of Bujagali's size and complexity has been completed on time and within budget whilst adhering to the highest technical as well as social and environmental standards is a huge testimony to the quality and experience of the sponsor, development and construction teams, with whom I am truly proud to be associated. The Bujagali experience is invaluable and we will certainly draw from it when developing future projects in the region," observed Mr. Nizar Juma, the Chairman of Bujagali Energy Ltd.
Bruce J. Wrobel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sithe Global who was also present at the commissioning said, "We believe that projects like Bujagali, which has both impacted the energy sector in Uganda in a far-reaching positive way and mitigated the ecological footprint of a generation, is the key to sustainable development. We are proud to have joined our partners, the lenders and the Government of Uganda in bringing this project to a reality and it is gratifying to see the impacts the project is already having, not only by making available ample, clean, renewable energy, but also by having a positive effect on the lives of the people living in the community and region around this project."
The Project has also been registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), making it the largest project ever registered in a Least Developed Country. Bujagali will yield an average of 900,000 Carbon Dioxide Emission Reductions (CERs) annually, putting it at the forefront of clean energy efforts.
The project was also made possible by support from a number of other lenders: International Finance Corporation ("IFC"), the European Investment Bank, African Development Bank ("AfDB"), Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelinsslanden N.V. ("FMO"), Societe de Promotion et de Participation pour la Cooperation Economique ("Proparco")/Agence Francaise de Development ("AFD"), DEG-Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft MBH ("DEG") and KfW. Barclays/ABSA Capital and Standard Chartered Bank are providing commercial debt under an International Development Association ("IDA") Partial Risk Guarantee, while MIGA is providing insurance guarantee cover for Sithe Global's equity.
-Ends-
NOTES
BUJAGALI HYDROPOWER PLANT
Bujagali Hydropower Project was established through a public-private partnership model between the Government of Uganda on the one hand and a consortium of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Blackstone affiliates on the other.
This consortium partnered with the Government of Uganda to form Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL). BEL will own and operate Bujagali Hydropower plant for a 30-year concession period before transferring the plant to the Government of Uganda for US$1.
Please see: www.bujagali-energy.com
Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED)
AKFED is an international development agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and building economically sound enterprises in the developing world. AKFED focuses on building enterprises in parts of the world that lack sufficient foreign direct investment. It also makes bold but calculated investments in situations that are fragile and complex.
Industrial Promotion Services (IPS)
IPS is the infrastructure and industrial development arm of AKFED. It has operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and DR Congo which employ some 8,500 people, and is also actively pursuing investment opportunities in Rwanda, Mozambique and Madagascar. Outside the East and Central Africa region, IPS also operates in Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Canada.
IPS's involvement in power includes the 288 MW Azito gas power plant in Cote D'Ivoire, concessionaire for Energie du Mali (power & water utility), Kenya's 75 MW Tsavo diesel plant and a vertically-integrated off-grid utility involved in generation, distribution and sale of electricity in the West Nile region of Uganda.
IPS is also a partner in the $650 million SEACOM submarine fibre optic cable which became operational in July 2009. The cable links countries in Eastern and Southern Africa to international cables in South Africa, India and Europe. In doing so, the cable provides access to affordable and high quality bandwidth to the Eastern and Southern Africa seaboard, which was previously the only part of the world without access to international submarine cables.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
The agencies of the AKDN are private, international, non-denominational development organisations. They work to improve the welfare and prospects of people in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa. While each agency pursues its own mandate, all of them work together within the overarching framework of the Network so that their different pursuits interact and reinforce one another. The AKDN works in 30 countries around the world and employs approximately 80,000 people. The AKDN's annual budget for non-profit development activities is approximately US$ 625 million. The project companies of AKFED generate revenues of approximately US$ 2.3 billion annually. All surpluses are reinvested in further development activities.
Please see: www.akdn.org
Blackstone
Blackstone (NYS: BX) is one of the world's leading investment and advisory firms and is an experienced and active investor in the energy and natural resources sector. Funds managed by Blackstone have invested/committed approximately $6 billion in the sector to date across four continents. The firm seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for its investors, the companies it invests in, the companies it advises and the broader global economy. Blackstone's alternative asset management businesses include the management of private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge fund solutions, credit-oriented funds and closed-end mutual funds. Blackstone also provides various financial advisory services, including financial and strategic advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services.
Please see: www.blackstone.com
Sithe Global
Sithe Global Power, LLC (Sithe Global) is 99% owned by funds managed by Blackstone. Blackstone purchased an 80% ownership interest in Sithe Global in 2005 and subsequently increased it to 99% in 2011 with the objective of facilitating Sithe Global's plans to develop, finance, construct and operate electric power generation facilities in the U.S. and certain other international markets. Sithe Global has a portfolio of power projects in various stages of development and construction in the Philippines, India, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and other regions totaling approximately 5,000 MW of generating capacity. Sithe Global also continues to pursue other opportunities within Africa.
Sithe Global is led by a seasoned management and technical team with extensive independent power project development experience, and a proven record of identifying project development and acquisition opportunities which create substantial value for its investors. The Sithe Global management team has successfully developed over 50 power projects in nine countries with a capital investment in excess of $5 billion.
Please see: www.sitheglobal.com
By Business Wire via The Motley Fool
Posted 2:05PM 10/08/12 Posted under: Investing
042200
Ugandan President Museveni and Aga Khan Inaugurate Bujagali Hydropower Plant
Established through a unique public-private partnership, the project will drive economic growth and provide clean, reliable power for Ugandans
Completion of project showcases successful public-private partnership for infrastructure development, bringing together the Government of Uganda, Industrial Promotion Services (IPS - the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) and Blackstone Portfolio Company, Sithe Global
The 250MW hydropower plant has nearly doubled Uganda's electricity supply and virtually eliminated power shortages and blackouts
The total project cost is approximately $900 million
JINJA, Uganda--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Uganda's President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, today inaugurated the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Plant in the presence of the Aga Khan and project partners Sithe Global, a company majority owned by a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors. The ceremony, which took place on the eve of celebrations marking 50 years of Uganda's independence, was attended by government officials, heads of State from across Africa, international dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community.
The plant, constructed at a cost of approximately US$900 million, was jointly funded by Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Sithe Global Power LLC (USA), a company majority owned by Blackstone Capital Partners IV, L.P., a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors, and the Government of Uganda. It has eliminated Uganda's previous energy shortage by nearly doubling the country's effective generation capacity (it currently meets 49% of the country's energy requirements) and provides clean, reliable power at lower costs than existing power generating facilities. Construction of the plant commenced in August 2007. It comprises five units of 50MW each, commissioned in phases between February 2012 and June 2012.
Bujagali represents one of the largest privately-funded power sector investments ever made in Sub-Saharan Africa and sets a unique precedent for public-private partnerships. The plant will be operated by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL), a company established by the project partners to operate and manage the plant, for a 30 year period, following which it will be transferred to the government of Uganda for a nominal price of US one dollar.
Uganda's electricity demand has been growing by 10% every year, while supply prior to the commissioning of Bujagali has remained stagnant. Frequent power shortages and blackouts accounted for between 1 to 1.5% loss to Uganda's GDP, thereby slowing the country's economic development. Since the first unit became operational in February 2012, Bujagali has provided a reliable solution to Uganda's power demands, serving as a catalyst for economic growth and replacing emergency thermal generation costs, thereby saving US$ 9.5 million per month in government subsidies.
Commenting on the role of the Aga Khan Development Network, His Highness the Aga Khan, said, "But let me emphasize that this has also been a global story. As we try to count up the key participants, we find that they come from at least 37 different countries - a truly international network of partners. Those of us who represent the Aga Khan Development Network are proud to have been associated with so many fine allies in this work, including our close, central partnership with Sithe Global and Blackstone."
The project serves as an example of a highly successful public-private partnership model, ideal for replication throughout the region.
Speaking at the event, David Foley, Senior Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone Energy Partners, said, "Bujagali showcases how successful partnerships between the public and private sectors can create development opportunities for growing economies. Blackstone is proud to have played an important role, together with our partner the Aga Khan, in the development of Bujagali, the successful completion of which is a credit to the leadership of President Museveni and the commitment of the Government of Uganda. Africa is a resource rich continent and is primed for the development of hydroelectric power generation facilities like Bujagali. On behalf of our investors, Blackstone has committed billions of dollars of equity capital to build energy businesses on four continents around the globe and will continue to invest in emerging market countries to provide them with the affordable, safe and reliable energy to sustain their economic growth."
The Bujagali Hydropower Project has already impacted the surrounding communities with the creation of approximately 3,000 new jobs for Ugandan workers during peak construction; improved community services such as clean water supply, education and health facilities in nearby villages; the provision of micro-credit funds to surrounding rural populations and the enhancement of infrastructure.
"That a project of Bujagali's size and complexity has been completed on time and within budget whilst adhering to the highest technical as well as social and environmental standards is a huge testimony to the quality and experience of the sponsor, development and construction teams, with whom I am truly proud to be associated. The Bujagali experience is invaluable and we will certainly draw from it when developing future projects in the region," observed Mr. Nizar Juma, the Chairman of Bujagali Energy Ltd.
Bruce J. Wrobel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sithe Global who was also present at the commissioning said, "We believe that projects like Bujagali, which has both impacted the energy sector in Uganda in a far-reaching positive way and mitigated the ecological footprint of a generation, is the key to sustainable development. We are proud to have joined our partners, the lenders and the Government of Uganda in bringing this project to a reality and it is gratifying to see the impacts the project is already having, not only by making available ample, clean, renewable energy, but also by having a positive effect on the lives of the people living in the community and region around this project."
The Project has also been registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), making it the largest project ever registered in a Least Developed Country. Bujagali will yield an average of 900,000 Carbon Dioxide Emission Reductions (CERs) annually, putting it at the forefront of clean energy efforts.
The project was also made possible by support from a number of other lenders: International Finance Corporation ("IFC"), the European Investment Bank, African Development Bank ("AfDB"), Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelinsslanden N.V. ("FMO"), Societe de Promotion et de Participation pour la Cooperation Economique ("Proparco")/Agence Francaise de Development ("AFD"), DEG-Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft MBH ("DEG") and KfW. Barclays/ABSA Capital and Standard Chartered Bank are providing commercial debt under an International Development Association ("IDA") Partial Risk Guarantee, while MIGA is providing insurance guarantee cover for Sithe Global's equity.
-Ends-
NOTES
BUJAGALI HYDROPOWER PLANT
Bujagali Hydropower Project was established through a public-private partnership model between the Government of Uganda on the one hand and a consortium of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Blackstone affiliates on the other.
This consortium partnered with the Government of Uganda to form Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL). BEL will own and operate Bujagali Hydropower plant for a 30-year concession period before transferring the plant to the Government of Uganda for US$1.
Please see: www.bujagali-energy.com
Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED)
AKFED is an international development agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and building economically sound enterprises in the developing world. AKFED focuses on building enterprises in parts of the world that lack sufficient foreign direct investment. It also makes bold but calculated investments in situations that are fragile and complex.
Industrial Promotion Services (IPS)
IPS is the infrastructure and industrial development arm of AKFED. It has operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and DR Congo which employ some 8,500 people, and is also actively pursuing investment opportunities in Rwanda, Mozambique and Madagascar. Outside the East and Central Africa region, IPS also operates in Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Canada.
IPS's involvement in power includes the 288 MW Azito gas power plant in Cote D'Ivoire, concessionaire for Energie du Mali (power & water utility), Kenya's 75 MW Tsavo diesel plant and a vertically-integrated off-grid utility involved in generation, distribution and sale of electricity in the West Nile region of Uganda.
IPS is also a partner in the $650 million SEACOM submarine fibre optic cable which became operational in July 2009. The cable links countries in Eastern and Southern Africa to international cables in South Africa, India and Europe. In doing so, the cable provides access to affordable and high quality bandwidth to the Eastern and Southern Africa seaboard, which was previously the only part of the world without access to international submarine cables.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
The agencies of the AKDN are private, international, non-denominational development organisations. They work to improve the welfare and prospects of people in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa. While each agency pursues its own mandate, all of them work together within the overarching framework of the Network so that their different pursuits interact and reinforce one another. The AKDN works in 30 countries around the world and employs approximately 80,000 people. The AKDN's annual budget for non-profit development activities is approximately US$ 625 million. The project companies of AKFED generate revenues of approximately US$ 2.3 billion annually. All surpluses are reinvested in further development activities.
Please see: www.akdn.org
Blackstone
Blackstone (NYS: BX) is one of the world's leading investment and advisory firms and is an experienced and active investor in the energy and natural resources sector. Funds managed by Blackstone have invested/committed approximately $6 billion in the sector to date across four continents. The firm seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for its investors, the companies it invests in, the companies it advises and the broader global economy. Blackstone's alternative asset management businesses include the management of private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge fund solutions, credit-oriented funds and closed-end mutual funds. Blackstone also provides various financial advisory services, including financial and strategic advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services.
Please see: www.blackstone.com
Sithe Global
Sithe Global Power, LLC (Sithe Global) is 99% owned by funds managed by Blackstone. Blackstone purchased an 80% ownership interest in Sithe Global in 2005 and subsequently increased it to 99% in 2011 with the objective of facilitating Sithe Global's plans to develop, finance, construct and operate electric power generation facilities in the U.S. and certain other international markets. Sithe Global has a portfolio of power projects in various stages of development and construction in the Philippines, India, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and other regions totaling approximately 5,000 MW of generating capacity. Sithe Global also continues to pursue other opportunities within Africa.
Sithe Global is led by a seasoned management and technical team with extensive independent power project development experience, and a proven record of identifying project development and acquisition opportunities which create substantial value for its investors. The Sithe Global management team has successfully developed over 50 power projects in nine countries with a capital investment in excess of $5 billion.
Please see: www.sitheglobal.com
A Global Project for Uganda
Festive inauguration of the new hydropower plant in Bujagali
http://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/eban ... _42731.jsp
Uagandas president Yoweri Museveni, his First Lady Janet Museveni and Karim Aga Khan IV. surrounded by employees of the hydropower plant in Bujagali. Source: Aga Khan Development Foundation / Gary Otte
"The new power plant ensures for the first time a stable, reliable and sufficient supply of electricity," emphasised Yoweri Museveni, the long-standing Ugandan President, in his speech. "In this way it makes a key contribution to greater prosperity and development." Nearly all the heads of government of the neighbouring countries came to the festive inauguration of the first privately-operated hydropower plant in Sub-Saharan Africa. They also celebrated 50 years of Ugandan independence. The hydropower plant has model character. It not only puts an end to the massive bottlenecks in the electricity supply of the African country, thereby contributing to economic growth, but also simultaneously makes important progress in protecting the environment.
The hydropower plant in Bujagali was realised in partnership between the Ugandan government and private investors. KfW Entwicklungsbank and DEG contributed 45 million US dollars to the financing. Another important sponsor is the Aga Khan Foundation. "Bujagali is not only a Ugandan but also a global project. People from 37 nations have contributed to help make this innovative idea a reality," praised Aga Khan, who participated personally in the inauguration ceremony.
Disastrous Energy Shortage
Up to now Uganda suffered under an ongoing energy shortage. Every day power was cut for up to 12 hours. Enterprises had to repeatedly cope with production losses because machines suddenly stopped, while lights went out in hospitals during emergency operations at night.
Until now the government was forced to meet electricity needs in a makeshift manner by using expensive and environmentally harmful emergency generators. The generators, which run on diesel and heavy oil, produced 40 per cent of the electricity thus far. The high costs could only be met through massive government subsidies. Nevertheless the electricity tariff is extremely high. In Uganda a kilowatt hour costs 15 euro-cents and thus almost as much as in Germany, but with an annual per capita average income of 340 US dollar. As a result few inhabitants can afford the electricity. Merely twelve per cent of Ugandan households have an electricity connection at all, meaning only a small, relatively wealthy elite benefit from the subsidies in the electricity sector.
Energy Transformation Thanks to Hydropower
The new hydropower plant in Bujagali should change this precarious situation. The plant expands the country's electricity capacity by more than 50 per cent so that electricity demand in Uganda can be met in the coming years. The conversion to hydropower also reduces the annual emissions of carbon dioxide by 1.5 tonnes.
The launch of the hydropower plant ushers in an energy transformation in Uganda: "Providing affordable, green electricity is an important contribution to solving the current energy crisis in Uganda and leads to a significant increase in electricity generation thanks to climate-friendly hydropower," praised Norbert Kloppenburg, member of the Executive Board of KfW Bankengruppe, at the time.
But Bujagali will not only protect the environment in the future, as social and environmental measures were already included during the hydropower plant's planning and construction so as to design this large project in a socially and environmentally compatible manner. To compensate for lost pasture land and wildlife preserves, a large conservation area will be created south of the dam. In addition a total 85 households numbering 630 people had to be moved. According to newspaper reports the inhabitants are nevertheless pleased with the waterworks as they received financial compensation for the move. With this money they can now finance their children's education or increase the size of their livestock.
Festive inauguration of the new hydropower plant in Bujagali
http://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/eban ... _42731.jsp
Uagandas president Yoweri Museveni, his First Lady Janet Museveni and Karim Aga Khan IV. surrounded by employees of the hydropower plant in Bujagali. Source: Aga Khan Development Foundation / Gary Otte
"The new power plant ensures for the first time a stable, reliable and sufficient supply of electricity," emphasised Yoweri Museveni, the long-standing Ugandan President, in his speech. "In this way it makes a key contribution to greater prosperity and development." Nearly all the heads of government of the neighbouring countries came to the festive inauguration of the first privately-operated hydropower plant in Sub-Saharan Africa. They also celebrated 50 years of Ugandan independence. The hydropower plant has model character. It not only puts an end to the massive bottlenecks in the electricity supply of the African country, thereby contributing to economic growth, but also simultaneously makes important progress in protecting the environment.
The hydropower plant in Bujagali was realised in partnership between the Ugandan government and private investors. KfW Entwicklungsbank and DEG contributed 45 million US dollars to the financing. Another important sponsor is the Aga Khan Foundation. "Bujagali is not only a Ugandan but also a global project. People from 37 nations have contributed to help make this innovative idea a reality," praised Aga Khan, who participated personally in the inauguration ceremony.
Disastrous Energy Shortage
Up to now Uganda suffered under an ongoing energy shortage. Every day power was cut for up to 12 hours. Enterprises had to repeatedly cope with production losses because machines suddenly stopped, while lights went out in hospitals during emergency operations at night.
Until now the government was forced to meet electricity needs in a makeshift manner by using expensive and environmentally harmful emergency generators. The generators, which run on diesel and heavy oil, produced 40 per cent of the electricity thus far. The high costs could only be met through massive government subsidies. Nevertheless the electricity tariff is extremely high. In Uganda a kilowatt hour costs 15 euro-cents and thus almost as much as in Germany, but with an annual per capita average income of 340 US dollar. As a result few inhabitants can afford the electricity. Merely twelve per cent of Ugandan households have an electricity connection at all, meaning only a small, relatively wealthy elite benefit from the subsidies in the electricity sector.
Energy Transformation Thanks to Hydropower
The new hydropower plant in Bujagali should change this precarious situation. The plant expands the country's electricity capacity by more than 50 per cent so that electricity demand in Uganda can be met in the coming years. The conversion to hydropower also reduces the annual emissions of carbon dioxide by 1.5 tonnes.
The launch of the hydropower plant ushers in an energy transformation in Uganda: "Providing affordable, green electricity is an important contribution to solving the current energy crisis in Uganda and leads to a significant increase in electricity generation thanks to climate-friendly hydropower," praised Norbert Kloppenburg, member of the Executive Board of KfW Bankengruppe, at the time.
But Bujagali will not only protect the environment in the future, as social and environmental measures were already included during the hydropower plant's planning and construction so as to design this large project in a socially and environmentally compatible manner. To compensate for lost pasture land and wildlife preserves, a large conservation area will be created south of the dam. In addition a total 85 households numbering 630 people had to be moved. According to newspaper reports the inhabitants are nevertheless pleased with the waterworks as they received financial compensation for the move. With this money they can now finance their children's education or increase the size of their livestock.
2012:THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Excerpt:
The completion and final commissioning of the US$900m 250MW Bujagali Hydro Power Dam, the single largest Public Private Partnership in Uganda was another piece of great news to Ugandans, especially the private sector. The project developed by a consortium of big names consisting of: Sithe Global, Blackstone, IPS, Agha Khan Fund for Economic Development and the republic of Uganda added to the ever shrinking power equation, a much needed 250MW, eventually wiping out the power deficit.
http://www.theceomagazine-ug.com/news/2 ... -ugly.html
Excerpt:
The completion and final commissioning of the US$900m 250MW Bujagali Hydro Power Dam, the single largest Public Private Partnership in Uganda was another piece of great news to Ugandans, especially the private sector. The project developed by a consortium of big names consisting of: Sithe Global, Blackstone, IPS, Agha Khan Fund for Economic Development and the republic of Uganda added to the ever shrinking power equation, a much needed 250MW, eventually wiping out the power deficit.
http://www.theceomagazine-ug.com/news/2 ... -ugly.html
https://allafrica.com/stories/202105280824.html
Uganda: Bujagali Dam - Communities Count Losses From Tourism, Fishing
28 May 2021
The Observer (Kampala)
By Miriam Watsemba
To imagine those fun-loving, testosterone-packed young men that used to fling themselves into Bujagali falls to entertain tourists, now digging pit latrines for a living! Or hundreds of fishermen walking away from the only source of livelihood they have ever known. MIRIAM WATSEMBA visits Budondo village, home of Bujagali falls, to count the losses. And gains.
"The Nile is not of significant importance to people anymore," says Hellen Awori, a 32-year-old, born and raised resident of Budondo village where Bujagali falls were once located.
According to Awori, after the construction of Bujagali dam started in 2007, River Nile stopped benefiting the residents in her locality.
"At first we thought it was going to bring us development, but it seems it even took away what we had before."
Awori says the place, once world-known for white water rafting, is not as busy as it used to be.
"Some people in Budondo do not have the opportunity to even use that electricity."
Bujagali falls was once a magnet of unending tourism and a source of livelihood to thousands of people living and working along the Nile; the new dam has left hundreds of locals unemployed and displaced.
Henry Kalulu, 43, says he was given Shs 2m by BEL (Bujagali Energy Limited) in 2003. He, however, had no idea how to start over and create a sustainable living for the rest of his life with just Shs 2m.
SAD REALITY
A former professional swimmer who used to entertain tourists at a fee by jumping into the roaring rapids, Kalulu has since resorted to digging pit latrines in Budondo village and heavy drinking to escape his sad reality.
The resettlement and compensation of affected people like Kalulu is said to have been done under the observation of Inter-Aid, which was appointed for the role by BEL in December 2007, after delays.
In a bid to increase electricity production and supply, Uganda is on to its fourth and fifth hydroelectricity dams, within a span of just 10 years. All these constructions will equal to disruption in the nature of three mighty natural waterfalls namely; Karuma located on the Kampala-Gulu highway in Kiryandongo district, Isimba falls near Kayunga town and Bujagali.
But none will possibly land a direct hit on locals like Bujagali. In a phone conversation with Dr Tom Okurut, the executive director of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), he acknowledged that there are lessons that have been learned from the Bujagali dam construction.
"For the new projects, we have perfected the conditions. Arising from Bujagali, we are now doing Isimba and here we have created special conservation areas because we know, when flooding takes place, some of those things that disappeared could be conserved," says Okurut.
The special conservation areas for Isimba are called Kalagala offset, and they have been gazetted as 'no work zones'. People are not allowed to encroach on the area. This is to allow nature to take its course and provide an alternative site or compensation for all the nature that will be submerged after construction of the new dam.
Isimba and Karuma falls follow the long-forgotten Rippon falls that gave way for the Owen Falls dam in the early 1950s - now renamed Nalubaale dam.
Bujagali falls where construction of a dam started in 2007, and was submerged in 2012 when Bujagali hydropower plant was launched.
At a cost of $902m, the construction of Bujagali dam promised generation of 200 -250MW of hydropower, reduction in load shedding, and a decrease in the cost of electricity in the country. After construction, however, the dam could only produce 121MW of electricity, leaving many people in rural Uganda unable to afford this electricity as prices instead increased.
In fact, for many in Budondo, the only electricity they see is in the pylons ferrying it from their village to faraway lands.
END OF AN ERA
Fifteen years down the road, life has folded for the majority of locals in Bundodo whose livelihoods entirely depended on Bujagali falls and the tourists it drew.
The construction of the dam resulted into a backflow that, according to the locals, led to rapidly increasing water levels. Within 48 hours of completion of the dam, islands and properties including hotels and farm gardens more had been submerged.
The waterfall and rocks that surrounded it were now invisible, leaving behind a 'manmade lake."
Ben Kamya, 32, a resident of Budondo, is one of those who received no payment or support whatsoever. Having worked as a safety kayak expert on the Nile for more than 10 years, Kamya has now resorted to subsistence farming to feed his family.
Kamya says he is no longer concerned about the Nile, neither does he visit it anymore, despite the fact that his home is at a climbing distance of about 300 metres from the Nile.
Before the construction of the dam, Kamya worked at the Nile and took time to regularly slash bushes at the banks, remove the water hyacinth and ensure that the banks were clean.
For Eria Damba, 95, one of the oldest fishermen in Budondo and also the 'gawunga wa bavubi' meaning leader of the fishermen in Kyabirwa, Namizi and Luyala villages, the dam completely robbed the fishing community of over 400 fishermen that he leads. He says there is barely any fish left to catch, especially with the increased water levels and government restrictions on fishing in the river.
Henry Bazira, a researcher with the National Association of Professional Environmentalists, warned that the flooding will change all the characteristics of the water body here and it will disrupt the entire ecosystem.
In an interview with the BBC on April 27, 2007, he warned, "The micro-climate will change and we don't know what the impact of that will be".
"The fish did not just disappear, they were forced to migrate" says Damba. He believes that what modernity calls 'bad methods of fishing' is an escapism theory from the real cause of the decline in fish quantities in the water.
He says the water backflow and consequential flooding caused by dam construction led to contamination of the river water, killing the fish.
"The flooding was inevitable. But even the fish which disappeared have now come back," Dr Okurut tells me when I mention the issue of fish reduction.
Budondo paying the price
According to Damba, most of the land and other properties that were submerged by the new manmade lake, were filled with litter, harmful waste and plastics which had been a part of the main land for decades.
"There is no way the fish would survive that kind of pollution!" he adds with a tone of disappointment.
Damba believes 'bad fishing methods' contribute so little to the disappearance of fish in the waters of River Nile, and looks at their prohibition as an indirect oppression of the local people for sins committed by the rich.
He speaks of the days when fishermen took pride in cleaning up the river banks, slashing and general maintenance of the river which he says is now history, because the river is not for the community, but for foreigners.
"The rich men have bought off all the land surrounding the river now."
Zachariah Mugabe, 40, the chairman of the landing site that used to be the welcome place from where people viewed the magnificence of the waterfalls, says, "We have no landing site now, as you can see." He points far off at the stretch of water, narrating how all that used to be a working place for fishermen, merchandise and food vendors, tour guides, restaurant owners, hundreds of employees including porters and security guards.
Ali Buyende, 26, the manager of Expert River Tubing and an expert in eco-tourism, believes tourism will never be the same in Bujagali.
"At any given time of day, there would be hundreds of people down there visiting the falls, especially bazungu [whites]" says Buyende, which is no longer the case. "If we walked down there now, we would find one or two people, smoking and killing time."
There has been total disruption and reduction in tourism activities such as rafting, kayaking, boat rides, water gymnastics and entertainment on one hand, and on the other, activities such as birding, Bujagali shrine, community walks and fishing adventures.
Okurut says the water rafting was moved further downstream to Itanda falls. However, Buyende insists the tourism industry has tried to recover by exploring new spots on the Nile, especially those ahead of the dam, but it can never match the thrill and attraction of Bujagali.
This has forced them to cut the prices for some of their activities such as water rafting, tubing and boat cruises.
All not lost
Mulongo Alamanzani Wasswa, a fisherman on the Nile, says he used to make extra income from fishing with tourists, but the business was greatly affected.
The tourism momentum was further affected by Covid-19 and the 2020 lockdown in Uganda. However, out of this, the industry has experienced a rise in local tourism, with Jinja becoming a prime destination for Ugandans from Kampala. This has forced tour experts and business owners to find alternative tourism activities on the Nile.
Paul Wesina, 27, the founder of WEMA (Waste and Environment Management Association) in Budondo, says the entire ecosystem of both nature and tourism was altered. He says tampering with the river's natural flow submerged a lot of forest cover, causing forced bird migration and this has had effects on birding, which was a huge part of the activities at Bujagali.
"All environmental work is risky. You need to identify the risk and you mitigate. And that is what we did. We carried out an analysis, which means we okayed the mitigating propositions of the contractor and they also agreed to our propositions," says Okurut.
In February 2005, the Ugandan Government announced it would go ahead with the project despite its problems and drawbacks. Construction was launched in June 2007 through a public-private partnership with Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) and BEL.
BEL is a special-purpose company set up by affiliates of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Sithe Global Power.
Uganda: Bujagali Dam - Communities Count Losses From Tourism, Fishing
28 May 2021
The Observer (Kampala)
By Miriam Watsemba
To imagine those fun-loving, testosterone-packed young men that used to fling themselves into Bujagali falls to entertain tourists, now digging pit latrines for a living! Or hundreds of fishermen walking away from the only source of livelihood they have ever known. MIRIAM WATSEMBA visits Budondo village, home of Bujagali falls, to count the losses. And gains.
"The Nile is not of significant importance to people anymore," says Hellen Awori, a 32-year-old, born and raised resident of Budondo village where Bujagali falls were once located.
According to Awori, after the construction of Bujagali dam started in 2007, River Nile stopped benefiting the residents in her locality.
"At first we thought it was going to bring us development, but it seems it even took away what we had before."
Awori says the place, once world-known for white water rafting, is not as busy as it used to be.
"Some people in Budondo do not have the opportunity to even use that electricity."
Bujagali falls was once a magnet of unending tourism and a source of livelihood to thousands of people living and working along the Nile; the new dam has left hundreds of locals unemployed and displaced.
Henry Kalulu, 43, says he was given Shs 2m by BEL (Bujagali Energy Limited) in 2003. He, however, had no idea how to start over and create a sustainable living for the rest of his life with just Shs 2m.
SAD REALITY
A former professional swimmer who used to entertain tourists at a fee by jumping into the roaring rapids, Kalulu has since resorted to digging pit latrines in Budondo village and heavy drinking to escape his sad reality.
The resettlement and compensation of affected people like Kalulu is said to have been done under the observation of Inter-Aid, which was appointed for the role by BEL in December 2007, after delays.
In a bid to increase electricity production and supply, Uganda is on to its fourth and fifth hydroelectricity dams, within a span of just 10 years. All these constructions will equal to disruption in the nature of three mighty natural waterfalls namely; Karuma located on the Kampala-Gulu highway in Kiryandongo district, Isimba falls near Kayunga town and Bujagali.
But none will possibly land a direct hit on locals like Bujagali. In a phone conversation with Dr Tom Okurut, the executive director of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), he acknowledged that there are lessons that have been learned from the Bujagali dam construction.
"For the new projects, we have perfected the conditions. Arising from Bujagali, we are now doing Isimba and here we have created special conservation areas because we know, when flooding takes place, some of those things that disappeared could be conserved," says Okurut.
The special conservation areas for Isimba are called Kalagala offset, and they have been gazetted as 'no work zones'. People are not allowed to encroach on the area. This is to allow nature to take its course and provide an alternative site or compensation for all the nature that will be submerged after construction of the new dam.
Isimba and Karuma falls follow the long-forgotten Rippon falls that gave way for the Owen Falls dam in the early 1950s - now renamed Nalubaale dam.
Bujagali falls where construction of a dam started in 2007, and was submerged in 2012 when Bujagali hydropower plant was launched.
At a cost of $902m, the construction of Bujagali dam promised generation of 200 -250MW of hydropower, reduction in load shedding, and a decrease in the cost of electricity in the country. After construction, however, the dam could only produce 121MW of electricity, leaving many people in rural Uganda unable to afford this electricity as prices instead increased.
In fact, for many in Budondo, the only electricity they see is in the pylons ferrying it from their village to faraway lands.
END OF AN ERA
Fifteen years down the road, life has folded for the majority of locals in Bundodo whose livelihoods entirely depended on Bujagali falls and the tourists it drew.
The construction of the dam resulted into a backflow that, according to the locals, led to rapidly increasing water levels. Within 48 hours of completion of the dam, islands and properties including hotels and farm gardens more had been submerged.
The waterfall and rocks that surrounded it were now invisible, leaving behind a 'manmade lake."
Ben Kamya, 32, a resident of Budondo, is one of those who received no payment or support whatsoever. Having worked as a safety kayak expert on the Nile for more than 10 years, Kamya has now resorted to subsistence farming to feed his family.
Kamya says he is no longer concerned about the Nile, neither does he visit it anymore, despite the fact that his home is at a climbing distance of about 300 metres from the Nile.
Before the construction of the dam, Kamya worked at the Nile and took time to regularly slash bushes at the banks, remove the water hyacinth and ensure that the banks were clean.
For Eria Damba, 95, one of the oldest fishermen in Budondo and also the 'gawunga wa bavubi' meaning leader of the fishermen in Kyabirwa, Namizi and Luyala villages, the dam completely robbed the fishing community of over 400 fishermen that he leads. He says there is barely any fish left to catch, especially with the increased water levels and government restrictions on fishing in the river.
Henry Bazira, a researcher with the National Association of Professional Environmentalists, warned that the flooding will change all the characteristics of the water body here and it will disrupt the entire ecosystem.
In an interview with the BBC on April 27, 2007, he warned, "The micro-climate will change and we don't know what the impact of that will be".
"The fish did not just disappear, they were forced to migrate" says Damba. He believes that what modernity calls 'bad methods of fishing' is an escapism theory from the real cause of the decline in fish quantities in the water.
He says the water backflow and consequential flooding caused by dam construction led to contamination of the river water, killing the fish.
"The flooding was inevitable. But even the fish which disappeared have now come back," Dr Okurut tells me when I mention the issue of fish reduction.
Budondo paying the price
According to Damba, most of the land and other properties that were submerged by the new manmade lake, were filled with litter, harmful waste and plastics which had been a part of the main land for decades.
"There is no way the fish would survive that kind of pollution!" he adds with a tone of disappointment.
Damba believes 'bad fishing methods' contribute so little to the disappearance of fish in the waters of River Nile, and looks at their prohibition as an indirect oppression of the local people for sins committed by the rich.
He speaks of the days when fishermen took pride in cleaning up the river banks, slashing and general maintenance of the river which he says is now history, because the river is not for the community, but for foreigners.
"The rich men have bought off all the land surrounding the river now."
Zachariah Mugabe, 40, the chairman of the landing site that used to be the welcome place from where people viewed the magnificence of the waterfalls, says, "We have no landing site now, as you can see." He points far off at the stretch of water, narrating how all that used to be a working place for fishermen, merchandise and food vendors, tour guides, restaurant owners, hundreds of employees including porters and security guards.
Ali Buyende, 26, the manager of Expert River Tubing and an expert in eco-tourism, believes tourism will never be the same in Bujagali.
"At any given time of day, there would be hundreds of people down there visiting the falls, especially bazungu [whites]" says Buyende, which is no longer the case. "If we walked down there now, we would find one or two people, smoking and killing time."
There has been total disruption and reduction in tourism activities such as rafting, kayaking, boat rides, water gymnastics and entertainment on one hand, and on the other, activities such as birding, Bujagali shrine, community walks and fishing adventures.
Okurut says the water rafting was moved further downstream to Itanda falls. However, Buyende insists the tourism industry has tried to recover by exploring new spots on the Nile, especially those ahead of the dam, but it can never match the thrill and attraction of Bujagali.
This has forced them to cut the prices for some of their activities such as water rafting, tubing and boat cruises.
All not lost
Mulongo Alamanzani Wasswa, a fisherman on the Nile, says he used to make extra income from fishing with tourists, but the business was greatly affected.
The tourism momentum was further affected by Covid-19 and the 2020 lockdown in Uganda. However, out of this, the industry has experienced a rise in local tourism, with Jinja becoming a prime destination for Ugandans from Kampala. This has forced tour experts and business owners to find alternative tourism activities on the Nile.
Paul Wesina, 27, the founder of WEMA (Waste and Environment Management Association) in Budondo, says the entire ecosystem of both nature and tourism was altered. He says tampering with the river's natural flow submerged a lot of forest cover, causing forced bird migration and this has had effects on birding, which was a huge part of the activities at Bujagali.
"All environmental work is risky. You need to identify the risk and you mitigate. And that is what we did. We carried out an analysis, which means we okayed the mitigating propositions of the contractor and they also agreed to our propositions," says Okurut.
In February 2005, the Ugandan Government announced it would go ahead with the project despite its problems and drawbacks. Construction was launched in June 2007 through a public-private partnership with Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) and BEL.
BEL is a special-purpose company set up by affiliates of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Sithe Global Power.