Umeme will spend $1.9m (Shs 7b) to overhaul the Ntinda substation to stabilize supply to Ntinda and surrounding areas.
Key among the works will include replacing the current switchgear (equipment that makes or breaks connections), now at the end of its useful 25 years and making the two transformers compatible.
“The current switchgear was installed in the early 1990s; it is at the tail end of its useful life,” Mr. Dansturn Kimbowa, the project engineer, said on Tuesday in Kampala, adding: “The two transformers are running independently.”
One of the transformers supplies Kisaasi, Kyambogo, and Bukoto–Ntinda while the other feeds Kiwatule–Najjera.
The capacity of each of the transformers is 10/14MW.
Mr. Kimbowa also noted demand on one of the transformers that supplies Kisaasi, Kyambogo, Bukoto, and Ntinda is at 90 percent while the one is at 60 percent.
Absa, ENS Africa, A&O Shearman and Nomura Advise Asahi Holdings on USD 2.3bn Acquisition of 65% Stake in EABLData on transformer loading indicates that they operate optimally when they are at or do not exceed 80 percent. Combining both transformers should create an average 75% load each.
Tendering, evaluation of bids, the award of the tender, procurement of material and installation and running processes for the new switchgear, will start next month and the whole overhauling process is expected to be completed at the close of the year.
The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has approved UGX310 billion (USD81 million) for 2020 to improve supply reliability, quality of electricity supplied and reduction of technical losses. Apart from the Ntinda substation, ERA, the regulator of the sector has also approved upgrades for Gulu, Kisubi, Kakiri and Bombo substations.
CEO East Africa in November 2019 reported that residents of Kigowa, Kiwatule, Buwate and Najjera 1 & 2 between August and October 2019 suffered up to 13 power cuts each month- an average of 1 power cut every three days due to the overcapacity at the Ntinda Substation.
