Uganda's contribution to Africa's hydropower capacity goals by 2037

According to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), seen by Conrad Onyango at bird agency, these projects are expected to double Africa's output from 34.3 gigawatts to 60.8 gigawatts once they are complete.

The report is dubbed "The changing role of hydropower: Challenges and opportunities" and it lists Uganda among the third contributors to this goal.

List of major contributors

Ethiopia will account for 25 percent of the total pipeline capacity attributed to the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the biggest hydropower plant in Africa.

The Democratic Republic of Congo will account for 11 percent.

Nigeria will contribute nine percent.

The following countries will account for six percent each.

Zambia
Mozambique
Tanzania

The following countries will account for five percent each.

South Sudan
Angola

The following countries will contribute three percent each.

Uganda
Cameroon

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) report "Climate Impacts on African Hydropower" renewable energy makes up 17 percent of electricity generated in Africa and by 2040 this share will rise by six percent.

“This share may potentially increase to more than 23% by 2040, as part of the ongoing effort towards clean energy transition and universal energy access in Africa,” said IEA

The same report indicates that Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, have over 80 percent of their energy generated from hydropower.

Like Ethiopia, Tanzania will also be boosted by the nearly US$3 billion Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project with an output of 2,115 megawatts at its completion in 2025.

Zambia, in collaboration with Zimbabwe, is also in development plans for the proposed US$4.5 billion joint project, Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station, on the Zambezi River. The 2400 megawatts power plant will cater to a third of the nation's power needs.

Unlisted stakeholders

Although not listed, Liberia is among the significant contributors to the pipeline projects. It is expanding the capacity of its only power plant, Mount Coffee Hydro Power Plant (MCHPP), which Liberian President George Weah directed government support towards.

The expansion will boost capacity by 44 megawatts from the current 88 megawatts.

The World Bank is conducting a feasibility study into a second 150 megawatts hydropower project on St Paul River.