Uganda has invited firms to submit bids for the development of two small hydro power stations. Uganda Rural Electrification Company; South Africa’s Eskom Enterprises; Austria’s ABB; Italy’s Soluziana; Germany’s Siemens; and Kenyan-Namibian joint venture Kibo, have been invited to bid for a 5MW power station proposed at Nyagak Falls in Nebbi District, and a 1.5MW World Bank-sponsored plant planned at Olewas Falls.
Although the power stations will be built and operated by the private sector, the World Bank will meet part of the cost to keep power tariffs within reach of the local population.
In addition, the company that submits the winning tender will also be allowed to manage the transmission and distribution business because of the anticipated small scale of the programme.