Multinational - The Interconnection of Electric Grids of Nile Equatorial Lakes Countries (Grant to NBI)

The project consists in the construction and upgrading of 769 km of 220 kV and 110 kV power lines and 17 transformer stations to interconnect the electric grids of the following Nile Equatorial Lakes (NBI) countries: Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, DR Congo and Rwanda. The project has three (3) components: (i) the Uganda-Rwanda interconnection: the line runs from Mbarara station to Mirama station in Uganda, then from Mirama station to the new Birembo station in Rwanda; (ii) the Kenya-Uganda interconnection: the line runs from Lessos station in Kenya to Bujagali station passing through Tororo station in Uganda; and (iii) upgrading of the Burundi, DR Congo and Rwanda interconnection. This component consists in upgrading the current line from Goma station to the Rusizi I station in DR Congo from 70 kV to 220 kV, and the line from Rusizi 1 station to Bujumbura in Burundi from 70 kV to 110 kV, as well as the construction of an extension from Bujumbura to Kiliba in DR Congo and the construction of a 110 kV line from Kibuye station to Gisenyi station in Rwanda; and lastly, the construction of the line from Gisenyi station in Rwanda to Goma station in DR Congo. The project also provides for building of the operating and maintenance technical capacities of the said networks. The total estimated cost is UA 160.20 million. It will be implemented within a period of 48 months starting from 2009.