Simba Group’s Electro-maxx power plant to boost UEGCL power supply after government deal.
Drake Nyamugabwa
Sources from The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources have confirmed that discussions are ongoing between the government and Elextro-maxx Power plant in Tororo district, which is under Simba Group owned by Dr Parick Bitature to acquire the plant to boost power connection with UEGCL
The Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary, Irene Bateebe confirmed the ongoing audit as part of the due diligence process.
“It is the Auditor General’s findings that will inform and determine the next step including the price,” she said.
She said once the plant is acquired will be added to the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) stable.
UEGCL early this year took over the Namanve thermal power plant, previously operated by Jacobsen Elktro after its 13-year build, operate and transfer contract expired.
Uganda’s Auditor General is conducting an audit of the heavy fuel Electromax power plant in Tororo District for possible acquisition by government.
The thermal power plant is owned and operated by independent power producer Electro-Maxx Limited, which is part of Simba Group owned by Businessman Patrick Bitature picturd above.
The 50MW plant started operations in 2012 under the build own and operate model at a time when the country was grappling with low hydro electricity generation amid surging demand.
This followed the the President’s directive to the ministries of Energy and Finance to further discussions with the former to thrash out the finer details of the deal.
Dr Patrick Bitature said that it was premature to comment about the matter
Uganda has a combined generation capacity of 1,365.7 MW from all sources against average peak demand of 800 MW. The generation capacity is expected to increase to 2,000 MW once beleaguered Karuma is commissioned later next year. In 2019 UETCL amended Eletro-maxx’s PPA to operate in Arua District where it ventured in to generate 8.2 MW to electrify West Nile.
