The Buranga Geothermal Power Station, is a proposed 100 MW (130,000 hp) geothermal power station in Uganda.[1]
| Buranga Geothermal Power Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Uganda |
| Location | Buranga Hot Springs Bundibugyo District |
| Coordinates | 00°49′59″N 30°10′01″E / 0.83306°N 30.16694°E |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction began | 2018 (Expected) |
| Commission date | 2022 (Expected) |
| Thermal power station | |
| Primary fuel | Geothermal |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 100 MW (130,000 hp) |
Location edit
The power station would be located at Buranga Hot Springs, off the Fort Portal–Bundibugyo–Lamia Road in Bundibugyo District, approximately 61 kilometres (38 mi), by road, northwest of Fort Portal, the nearest large city.[2] This location is approximately 355 kilometres (221 mi), by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital city.[3] The coordinates of Buranga Hot Springs are 0°49'59.0"N, 30°10'01.0"E (Latitude:0.833062; Longitude:30.166947).[4]
Overview edit
As part of efforts to diversify the national electricity sources, the government of Uganda licensed Green Impact Development Services (GIDS) to drill an exploratory well in the Buranga Hot Springs area. Pre-feasibility studies at this location have indicated subsurface water temperatures of 150 °C (302 °F) to 200 °C (392 °F), which are suitable for electricity generation.[5] GIDS plans to drill three deep wells and to generate at least 30 megawatts from each well.[6] However some sources have indicated that these plans may be too ambitious for a greenfield site with no prior history of geothermal output.[7]
Funding edit
The cost of construction is budgeted at US$42 million.[6]
Recent developments edit
Following an explosion at a drilling site located at Kibiro in Hoima District on the night of 29 March 2020, the Uganda Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development halted drilling at that site, at another site in Panyimur, Pakwach District and at the Buranga site in Bundibugyo District. Drilling may resume after a detailed "environmental and social impact assessment" (ESIA) is conducted.[8]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Senelwa, Kennedy (22 February 2016). "Uganda, Tanzaniaz start geothermal projects to plug power deficit". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
- ^ Google (8 August 2021). "Road Distance Between Fort Portal, Uganda And Buranga Hot Springs, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ Google (8 August 2021). "Road Distance Between Kampala, Central Region, Uganda and Buranga Hot Springs, Bundibugyo District, Western Region, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ Google (16 March 2016). "Location of Buranga Hot Springs" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
- ^ Construction Review Online (26 February 2016). "Geothermal energy to be a source of electricity in Uganda and Tanzania". Construction Review Online. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
- ^ a b Kennedy Senelwa (20 February 2016). "Uganda, Tanzania in Geothermal Projects to Plug Power Deficit". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
- ^ Africa Stopover (8 February 2016). "Buranga geothermal prospect in Uganda estimated at 100 MW". Thinkgeoenergy.com. Reykjavik, Iceland. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ Jean Marie Takouleu (30 April 2021). "Uganda: Geothermal exploration suspended in Kibiro, Panyimur and Buranga". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 8 August 2021.