Uganda’s Buyende Nuclear Energy Plans

Key Figures & Findings: Uganda has charted a course to integrate nuclear energy into its national grid, targeting an impressive 52,481MW generation capacity. Central to this strategy is the Buyende Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) project, designed to contribute 8,400MW. This project forms part of the country’s National Development Plan IV, intended to boost infrastructure including transmission lines, monitoring stations, and a skilling centre. The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, highlighted that Buyende will be Uganda’s flagship nuclear facility, with an initial output of 1,000MW by 2031.

Statistics & Insights: Uganda’s nuclear roadmap includes three additional sites: Nakasongola (7,200MW), Kiruhura (4,800MW), and Lamwo (4,000MW). The government aims to achieve the initial 1,000MW output from Buyende by 2031, gradually expanding capacity to 8,400MW in later phases.

Future Implications: If successful, Uganda could secure a substantial share of its electricity demand from nuclear sources by 2040. However, the project’s realisation hinges on overcoming financial, technical, and regulatory hurdles, as well as ongoing collaborations with global nuclear partners.

Source:  Daily Monitor