Power Services

Power Component Project Overview:

Among the 4 Kalangala Infrastructure Services projects, namely; Ferry, Road, Power and Water; KIS was licensed to generate and sell Electricity on Bugala Island, Kalangala District;

In fulfilment of this mandate, KIS constructed a 1.6 MW Solar-Thermal hybrid power generating station, a 2MVA substation with 120KM Medium Voltage/ distribution network to supply over 40 villages on the Island.

Bugala Island has 49 villages with nucleated settlement, where 80% are connected to electricity and the 20% awaits network extension and connection.

Commercial Operation of this power system was achieved in 2015 after successful completion of construction and commissioning tests; and to date, over 4,208 customers are on supply 24/7.

The availability of this utility services has since;

1. Improved quality of life on the island; and enhanced retention of quality workers (Teachers, Doctors, etc.)by the District;
2. Reduced dependence on the lake (unregulated fishing) and forest (lumbering) to other productive business ventures, using electricity e.g. Agroprocessing industry; and Tourism.
3. Improved Man-hours of productive work, performance in schools, and quality of service in the health centers;
4. Enhanced environmental protection through diversification of energy source from firewood to electricity.

About the Power Station

The power station is located in Bukuzindu Village, Mugoye sub-county, on Bugala Island, the largest island in the Ssese Islands Archipelago, in Kalangala District, in Lake Victoria, Africa's largest fresh-water lake, in Uganda's Central Region. This station is located 17 Kilometers from the town of Kalangala, where the district headquarters are located, approximately nautical 51 Kilometers, by water, southwest of the town of Entebbe.

Bukuzindu Power Plant is a 1.6 MW solar-diesel hybrid power plant that supplies power to the population of the Bugala Island in Lake Victoria. It was commissioned in December 2014 and began operations in March 2015. It currently supplies power to over 3,397 households and 49 commercial customers, including a few hotels and small enterprises. The distribution network stretches to 67 kms in its longest part. The main industries on the island are fishing (along the shores of Lake Victoria), agriculture (oil palm growing, timber) and tourism.

Technology Used

The power plant is a Solar-Diesel Hybrid system, of 1.6 MW with solarand thermalcapacity of 0.6MW and 1.0MW respectively.

The Solar Component is comprised of Solar farm, Battery Bank and Inverters. The Solar farm has 2832 solar panels each with 235 Wp rating. The Solar Modules are connected in series and parallel configuration to achieve 500Vdc and 662.7kWp (desired voltage, and power). The 658kW battery bank plays a buffer role to the plant operations, when solar component is running the load. 

The thermal component of this power plant is comprised of three generators of 500, 320 & 200 KVA capacity, which are designed to switch sequentially to compliment the power from solar. The main sub-station is composed of two 1 MVA transformers that feed power through a 33kV distribution system onto two main feeders (Kalangala and Bugoma). The power demand on Kalangala and Bugoma feeders range at 150-330 kW and 35-70 kW respectively.

KIS Solar-Thermal Hybrid Power Station Layout

Electrical Department Profile

Electrical Department is responsible for Generation and Distribution of electricity with emphasis on Safety to all, and provision of reliable, quality supply to customers.

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