Uganda highlights small-scale hydropower generation amid power shortage
According to a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development which was quoted by Daily Monitor, most of the sites are located in the areas of Mt. Rwenzori in western Uganda and the ranges along the western Rift Valley.
It revealed that all the power stations have a combined capacity of 200 megawatts (MW).
The prolonged drought that hit the country at the beginning of last year reduced the country's effective generation capacity at the Kiira and Nalubaale hydropower stations in Jinja from 180MW to 135MW.
This coupled with increased demand for energy arising from economic growth over years, and created a severe power shortage in the country. The shortfall in electricity supply in peak periods amount to almost 200 MW.
Kabagambe Kaliisa, permanent secretary of the ministry, called on local investors to take the opportunity in the power stations.
In the 2006/2007 budget, the government also encouraged the development of smaller hydropower options. More sites are to be continuously identified and assessed when resources are available.
Related News

BC Hydro activates "winter payment plan"
VANCOUVER - As colder temperatures set in across the province again this weekend, BC Hydro says it is activating its winter payment plan to give customers the opportunity to spread out their electricity bills.
"Our meteorologists are predicting colder-than-average temperatures will continue over the next of couple of months and we want to provide customers with help to manage their payments," said Chris O'Riley, BC Hydro's president.
All BC Hydro customers will be able to spread payments from the billing period spanning Dec. 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018 over a six-month period.
Cold weather in the second half of December 2017 led to surging…