Under the terms of the MoU, Toshiba will collaborate with the Uganda Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) in power generation projects, including personnel development.
The collaboration will focus on the development and supply of major equipment for a geothermal power plant, framing operation and management guidelines, and cooperating in personnel development.
Additionally, Toshiba will provide services for early construction phase of the plant as well as supply geothermal power generation equipment in the future.
Uganda Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Permanent Secretary Dr Fred Kabagambe-Kaliisa said: “The development of Uganda's geothermal energy resources is in line with our energy policy objectives of increasing power generation capacity and diversifying our energy mix in order to achieve least cost, affordable and stable energy supply.
“We are very confident that the Government of Uganda and Toshiba will create a strong Public-Private-Partnership to develop the Geothermal Energy resources.”
Uganda, which is located to the west of the Great Rift Valley, is estimated to hold rich geothermal potential, equivalent to 500MW.
The country generates about 60% of its power from hydroelectric power and the addition of geothermal to the mix is expected to contribute to supply stability while meeting power demand, Toshiba said.
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Company business development executive Toyoaki Fujita said: “Toshiba’s Energy Systems & Solutions Company is a world leader in geothermal power generation, and I believe that our established expertise can contribute to the geothermal power supply in Uganda.”
The company has delivered 53 geothermal turbines, which have combined power generation capacity of 3,400MW, in Japan, the US, the Philippines, Iceland and other countries.
Image: Uganda and Toshiba officials during memorandum of understanding signing ceremony. Photo: courtesy of Toshiba Corporation.
