Uganda is seeking potential partners in the coming year to develop East Africa’s first nuclear power plant. The project, expected to cost as much as $9 billion, seeks to boost the country’s electricity generation.
The government is working with China, Russia and the U.S. as it seeks investors, according to Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Irene Batebe, adding that construction of the 2,000-megawatt plant, which could be operational by 2031, may occur in two phases due to the expected cost.
Uganda relies heavily on hydropower and is trying to diversify its generation mix.
Generation from other sources will help bridge expected spike in energy demand by 2040, according to the government. Currently 57% of the country has access to electricity, with 19% connecting to the national grid and the remainder using local resources including solar.
