600 MW Karuma Hydro Power Plant, Uganda
AFRY helps Uganda power up with 600 MW Karuma Hydro Power Plant
Uganda faced a critical need to increase its electricity capacity to keep pace with growing energy demands while providing the grid with secure, stable energy. AFRY played a pivotal role in constructing the 600 MW Karuma Hydro Power Plant and its grid interconnection, which has become Uganda’s largest power generating facility.
Uganda's rapid development has driven a need to modernise infrastructure and sustain economic growth. Central to this vision is meeting the country's escalating energy demands in a way that supports sustainability and green energy ideals.
This state-of-the-art facility boosted the nation’s power generation capacity by 43%, supporting both economic growth and energy reliability.
With energy consumption surging, the existing power infrastructure—previously capped at 1,400 MW—faced immense pressure, creating a widening gap between supply and demand. To address this, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) embarked on an ambitious project to construct a new hydroelectric power plant.
The Karuma run-of-river hydropower project
Located on the Kyoga Nile River, about 270 km north of the capital, Kampala, the 600 MW Karuma hydropower plant features a run-of-river design that includes:
- Six vertical Francis turbines with a rated capacity of 100 MW each
- A concrete gravity dam with spillway
- Six intakes and headrace tunnels
- An underground powerhouse complex
- Two parallel 8 km-long tailrace tunnels.
The project started in 2013, with Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development as the Owner, Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd (UEGCL) as Project Implementation Agency, and Sinohydro Corporation Ltd as the EPC Contractor.
AFRY joined this monumental project in 2016 as the Strategic Project Management Consultant, and in 2019, assumed the role of Owner’s Engineer (OE) for the construction of the Hydropower plant and its interconnection facility. AFRY’s responsibilities encompassed design review, project management and site supervision during construction and commissioning of the power plant and substation, ensuring that project adhered to the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
Project facts
Name
Karuma Hydro Power Plant & Karuma Interconnection Facility
Client
Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd (UEGCL)
Location
Kyoga Nile River, 270 km north of Kampala
AFRY services
- Strategic Project Management Consultant 2016–2019
- Owner’s Engineer 2019–ongoing (2026)
Installed capacity
600 MW
Transforming Uganda’s energy landscape
The completion of the Karuma Hydro Power Plant and beginning of commercial operation in June 2024 mark a significant leap for Uganda’s energy sector.
Key benefits include:
- Increased Power Generation: With an additional 600 MW, Uganda’s total generation capacity surged from 1,400 MW to 2,000 MW.
- Enhanced Reliability: The new facility boosts power reliability, reducing outages and providing a more stable energy supply for both domestic and industrial use.
- Economic Growth: With greater energy capacity, Uganda can support industrial activities, driving economic development and paving the way for sustainable growth.
- Community Impact: As integral part of the project, numerous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including school renovations and the construction of health centres, improving local communities’ livelihoods.
The Karuma Hydro Power Plant stands as a testament to what can be achieved when collaboration, innovation, and sustainability converge.
Victor de Genot de Nieukerken, Karuma Project Director and Head of Section Client Relations & Sales, Hydropower, Switzerland, from AFRY, commented on the project’s success, stating:
As we celebrate the commissioning and operation of the Karuma hydropower plant, we are proud to be part of the team that helped deliver a reliable power supply for Uganda’s communities and industries. The dedication of the AFRY team, combining expertise from both Switzerland and Uganda, with many relocating to the site, has been instrumental in this achievement. The successful implementation of the Karuma power plant not only demonstrates our commitment but also represents a significant step in advancing Uganda's sustainability journey.
