Ituka Solar Power Station

{{EngvarB|date=December 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox power station | name = Ituka Solar Power Station | name_official = | image = | image_caption = 2°46'20.0"N 31°02'20.0"E | image_alt = | coordinates ={{coord|02|46|20|N|31|02|20|E|type:landmark| display=inline, title}} | country = [[Uganda]] | location = Ombaci Village, Uleppi Sub-county, [[Madi-Okollo|Okollo District]] | status = UC | construction_began = August 2024<ref name="BegR">{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.ug/amea-power-begins-construction-of-24-mw-plant-in-west-nile/ |title=Amea Power Begins Construction of 24 MW Plant In West Nile | work=[[The Independent (Uganda)]] |date=8 August 2024 |author=The Independent | access-date=28 November 2024 |location=Kampala, Uganda}}</ref> | commissioned = Q3 2025 Expected | decommissioned = | cost = US$19+ million | owner = Amea Solar Power | operator = Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited | solar_type = PV | ps_site_area = | ps_units_operational = | ps_units_manu_model = | ps_units_uc = | ps_units_planned = | ps_units_cancelled = | ps_units_decommissioned= | thermal_capacity = | ps_electrical_capacity = {{convert|24|MW}} | ps_electrical_cap_fac = | ps_annual_generation = 53.94 GWh | website = | extra = }}

The '''Ituka Solar Power Station''', is a {{convert|24|MW}} [[Solar power|solar]] power plant under construction in [[Uganda]]. The power station is under development by [[AMEA Power]], an [[independent power producer]] (IPP), domiciled in the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref name="1R">{{cite web|url=https://www.power-technology.com/data-insights/power-plant-profile-amea-west-nile-solar-pv-park-uganda/ | title=Power plant profile: Amea West Nile Solar PV Park, Uganda |work=Power Technology |date=14 November 2023 |author=GlobalData | access-date=16 December 2023 |location=New York City}}</ref><ref name="2R">{{cite web|url=https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/-west-nile-to-get-138m-solar-project-/ |title=West Nile to Get Solar Project |work=[[Uganda Radio Network]] |date=6 December 2023 |author=Michael Wambi |access-date=16 December 2023 | location=Kampala, Uganda}}</ref>

==Location== The power station is located in Ombaci Village, Uleppi Subcounty, [[Madi-Okollo|Madi Okollo District]], approximately {{convert|40|km|0}}, by road, southeast of [[Arua]] city center.<ref name="Dir">{{cite web|url=https://www.ameapower.com/amea-power-announces-groundbreaking-of-24-mwp-solar-pv-project-in-uganda/ |title=AMEA Power announces groundbreaking of 24 MWp Solar PV Project in Uganda |date=2 August 2024 |work=AMEA Power |author=Amea Power |access-date=28 November 2024 |location=Dubai, United Arab Emirates}}</ref><ref name="3R">{{google maps| url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Arua/Uleppi/@2.9031296,30.8097193,27909m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x176e6265a178c769:0xaa1e18867d91929c!2m2!1d30.9134058!2d3.0322094!1m5!1m1!1s0x176e505fad48a251:0xc60c265a06c27519!2m2!1d31.0378102!2d2.7743293!3e0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTEyNC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D |title=Road Distance Between Arua City Center, And Uleppi Town, Uganda |access-date=28 November 2024}}</ref>

==Overview== The construction site measures {{convert|52|ha|acre}}. The design calls for a ground-mounted photo-voltaic solar power station with generation capacity of 24 megawatts.<ref name="BegR"/> The power will be sold directly to the [[Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited]] (UETCL) for integration in the national electricity grid. A 20-year [[power purchase agreement]] (PPA) has been signed between the developers and UETCL to guide the sale and purchase of electricity between the two.<ref name="1R"/><ref name="2R"/> Construction started in August 2024 and commercial commissioning is anticipated in 2025.<ref name="BegR"/><ref name="1R"/>

Included in the project is the construction of a medium voltage 33/132 kV transformer switchyard, through which the power generated here will be directed to the 132 kV [[Lira–Gulu–Nebbi–Arua High Voltage Power Line]], for evacuation.<ref name="EvacR">{{cite web| url=https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20240812/170692/24-mwp-solar-power-plant-major-step-toward-electrification-in-west-nile-sub-region.html |title=24 MWp Solar Power Plant: Major Step Toward Electrification in West Nile Sub-Region |date=12 August 2024 |work=Watchdog Uganda |author=Mourice Muhoozi |access-date=28 November 2024 |location=Kampala, Uganda}}</ref>

==Developers== The power station is owned by AMEA Power, a [[renewable energy]] IPP with focus on [[Africa]], [[Asia]] and the [[Middle East]]. Amea Power created a subsidiary that it owns 100 percent called '''Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited''', a special purpose vehicle company specifically set up to develop, build, operate and maintain this solar power station.<ref name="1R"/><ref name="2R"/>

==Costs and funding== The cost of construction has not been disclosed as of December 2023. The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), a subsidiary of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) has committed to lend US$19 million towards the development of this power station. The PIGD is funded by donor countries: United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany and the [[World Bank Group]].<ref name="4R">{{cite web| url=https://www.esi-africa.com/east-africa/uganda-20mw-solar-project-designed-to-serve-regions-with-clean-energy/ |title=Uganda: 20 MW Solar Project Designed To Serve Regions With Clean Energy |work=ESI-Africa | date=6 December 2023 |author=Nasi Hako |access-date=16 December 2023 |location=Cape Town, South Africa}}</ref>

In December 2023, the [[African Trade and Investment Development Insurance]] (ATIDI), announced its intention to support this development through its ''Regional Liquidity Support Facility'' (RLSF). ATIDI will provide payment guarantees for the benefit of the project on behalf of UETCL. The insurance policy will cover up to six months' worth of revenue for the IPP and be in place for an initial duration of 15 years. The insurance policy makes the investment project more bankable and more secure.<ref name="5R">{{cite web|url=https://www.pmldaily.com/business/2023/12/atidi-partners-with-dubai-based-amea-power-on-20-mw-ituka-west-nile-uganda-limited-solar-project.html |title=ATIDI partners with Dubai-based AMEA Power on 20 MW Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited Solar Project |work=PML Daily |date=13 December 2023 |author=Nelson Mandela |access-date=16 December 2023 |location=Kampala, Uganda}}</ref><ref name="6R">{{cite web| work=Construct Africa | url=https://www.constructafrica.com/index.php/news/uganda-signs-deals-solar-projects |title=Uganda Signs Deals For Solar Projects |date=12 December 2023 |author=A. Sneha |access-date=16 December 2023 |location=AL Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates}}</ref>

==See also== {{stack|{{Portal|Uganda|Renewable energy}}}} *[[List of power stations in Uganda]] *[[Soroti Solar Power Station]] *[[Tororo Solar Power Station]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.eaif.com/who-we-are/pidg/ About the PIDG & EAIF]

[[Category:Solar power stations in Uganda]] [[Category:West Nile sub-region]] [[Category:Northern Region, Uganda]]