The Buranga Geothermal Power Station is a proposed geothermal power station in Uganda.
Location The power station would be located at Buranga Hot Springs, off the Fort Portal–Bundibugyo–Lamia Road in Bundibugyo District, approximately , by road, northwest of Fort Portal, the nearest large city. This location is approximately , by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital city. The coordinates of Buranga Hot Springs are 0°49'59.0"N, 30°10'01.0"E (Latitude:0.833062; Longitude:30.166947).
Overview As part of efforts to diversify the national electricity sources, the government of Uganda licensed Green Impact Development Services (GIDS) to drill an exploratory well in the Buranga Hot Springs area. Pre-feasibility studies at this location have indicated subsurface water temperatures of to , which are suitable for electricity generation. GIDS plans to drill three deep wells and to generate at least 30 megawatts from each well. However, some sources have indicated that these plans may be too ambitious for a greenfield site with no prior history of geothermal output.
Funding The cost of construction is budgeted at US$42 million.
Recent developments Following an explosion at a drilling site located at Kibiro in Hoima District on the night of 29 March 2020, the Uganda Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development halted drilling at that site, at another site in Panyimur, Pakwach District and at the Buranga site in Bundibugyo District. Drilling may resume after a detailed environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) is conducted.
See also
List of power stations in Uganda Energy in Uganda
References
External links The Rise of East Africa As An Alternative Energy Mecca