Toshiba to help Uganda exploit geothermal power
Japanese engineering and technology company Toshiba Corporation has expressed interest in helping Uganda exploit its geothermal energy as the country looks to alternative energy to boost power supply.
“The development of Uganda’s geothermal energy resources is in line with our energy policy objectives of increasing power generation capacity and diversifying our energy mix in order to achieve least cost, affordable and stable energy supply,” Dr. Fred Kabagambe-Kaliisa, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development said.
Toyoaki Fujita, Business Development Executive of Toshiba’s Energy Systems and Solutions Company said, “We hope to build a strong partnership with Uganda and to contribute to the development of sustainable power supply there.
“Toshiba’s Energy Systems and Solutions Company is a world leader in geothermal power generation, and I believe that our established expertise can contribute to the geothermal power supply in Uganda,” he said.
Kabagambe-Kaliisa said, “We are very confident that the Government of Uganda and Toshiba will create a strong Public-Private-Partnership to develop the Geothermal Energy resources.”
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Uganda has rich geothermal potential, equivalent to 500 megawatts.
Currently, about 60 per cent of power generation capacity is from hydroelectric power, and the country has long promoted construction of hydro power plants. Adding geothermal to the mix will contribute to supply stability and the ability to meet rising demand stimulated by high economic growth—currently increasing at about 10% per a year.
In the African market, Toshiba most recently delivered four geothermal turbines to Kenya that started commercial operation in 2015. The company has also concluded MOUs with geothermal power development companies in Ethiopia in 2014, Tanzania in 2015 and Djibouti in August this year, all covering comprehensive collaboration in the geothermal power generation business.
