Uganda suffers 5th nationwide power blackout in 5 months

It’s rare for a country that generates more power than it consumes to keep experiencing nationwide blackouts monthly. On April 14, May 9, June 22, and July 19, 2020, the country experience nationwide blackouts. August 13, 2020, nationwide blackout brings the number to 5.

Eskom Uganda Limited, which operates the Nalubaale power station, said last month that the cause of blackout had been a bucket carrier that made contact with a live conductor during routine maintenance. It said investigations had begun.

In June, Electricity Regulatory Authority, the industry regulator, said there had also been a fault on a high voltage at Kiira power station. It promised a detailed investigation.

In April, the blackout was blamed on moving islands that reportedly blocked the turbines. Uganda has installed capacity of up to 1,250 megawatts with hydro accounting for 1000MW. The country can only consume up 800MW at peak.

Later this year, Uganda will commission the 600MW Karuma dam, increasing the power available to Ugandans even higher. The insistent nationwide blackouts raise serious questions on the stability of the country’s power supply and but also on whether the technical people in the sector know what actually is going on.