Power trading between Rwanda and Uganda could start soon, Rwanda Energy Development Corporation Limited (EDCL) has revealed.
EDCL is a subsidiary of Rwanda Energy Group (REG) mandated to increase investment in the development of new energy generation projects, develop appropriate transmission infrastructure, and execute energy access projects to meet the national access targets.
Theoneste Higaniro, Director of Generation and Transmission at EDCL, said that the projects to enable power trading between the 2 countries include the Shango Substation and the Mirama-Shango-a 220kV Transmission Line, connecting Rwanda to Uganda with a length of 93.5km.
“These 2 projects are already completed and ready for power interconnection,” he said.
Initial power trading through the lines between Uganda and Rwanda was planned to commence in 2020.
However, he noted that during the final testing of communication between the Shango Substation in Rwanda and the Mbarara Substation in Uganda, it was noticed that a communication booster was needed at Shango Substation for the signal to reach Mbarara Substation. “As we speak, the booster has already been procured and is on-site, only waiting for the engineer from the manufacturer to come for the installation. We expect that all installations and testing will be completed by mid-June 2023,” he said.
