The Government of Uganda represented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) has partnered with ASKA Infrastructure Development to develop Geothermal power project in Katwe - Kikorongo, Kasese District.
The partnership follows the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Energy Ministry represented by the Permanent Secretary Eng. Irene Batebe and the Canada based company, ASKA Group during a meeting that was officiated by the Minister of State for Energy Hon. Okaasai Opolot.
Geothermal power is a form of renewable clean energy generated from areas with heat in the ground.
Hon. Okaasai Opolot pointed out that Uganda has great potential for the development of the geothermal power project because of its location in the rift valley in the western Uganda. This was backed up by the President of ASKA Group Kamaal Samji who confirmed that Uganda has potential sites in places like Kasese -with steam in the ground that can be used in the generation of geothermal power .
Minister Okaasai informed the delegation from Canada that power generation companies in Uganda can now operate independently since the legal framework allows them to generate, transmit and distribute the power to the end user. This he noted will have an empowering impact to the population who will rely on power to engage in income generating activities and improve livelihoods .
According to Eng. Batebe, the development of the geothermal power project is a critical strategy towards meeting the Ministry's mandate in its 2040 vision.
Eng. Irene Batebe pointed out that ASKA group will be expected to conduct feasibility study and apply for the required licenses and permits. She further assured the ASKA Group that the Ministry will support the process through sharing all the necessary information and facilitating the project authorization needed.
Read the full article by Sierra Ruth Arinaitwe in Uganda Update.
