Bioelectricity generation

Hydropower contributes about 90 per cent of electricity generated in Uganda with sugarcane based bagasse bioelectricity, fossil fuel and solar energy among other sources of power. Although the current generation of 800 MW "in [18] ". has boosted industrial growth, the capacity is still lagging behind the demand that is driven by the robust growth of the economy.

The low pressure boilers of 45 bar currently generate 22 MW of which 10 MW is connected to the grid. However, Kakira sugar estate has a target of generating 50 MW of electricity with the installation of higher pressure boilers of 68 bar in 2013. This target can be surpassed given the abundance of the bagasse (Table 6 and 7).

Particulars

Plant

Ratoon 1

Ratoon 2

Ratoon 3

Total/

average

Cane harvest area (ha)

1,461.1

1,541.7

1,535.2

392.8

4,930.8

Total cane supply (tons)

155,207.3

162,132.3

137,436.4

40,138.9

494,915.9

Average cane yield (tc/ha)

106.23

105.16

89.52

87.28

100.37

Average harvest age (months)

19.20

18.15

17.98

16.50

17.96

Cane productivity (tc/ha/m)

5.53

5.79

4.97

5.29

5.40

Bagasse production /ha

42.49

42.06

35.80

34.90

40.14

Steam generation (tons /ha)

84.98

84.12

71.60

69.80

80.28

Electric power generation

17.00

16.82

14.32

13.96

16.05

(Mwh/ha)

*This electric power generation is calculated based on using low pressure boilers of 45 bar at Kakira estate Table 6. Mean estate cane production/productivity, electrical generation* norms (2008 — 2012)

Particulars

Plant

Ratoon 1

Ratoon 2

Ratoon 3

Total/

average

Cane harvest area (ha)

3,429.3

3,206.9

2,334.7

1,431.3

10,402.2

Total cane supply (tons)

320,100.20

290,073.29

188,274.65

113,837.25

912,285.49

Average cane yield (tc/ha)

93.34

90.45

80.64

79.53

87.70

Average harvest age (months)

18.50

17.50

18.00

16.00

17.50

Cane productivity (tc/ha/m)

5.05

5.17

4.48

4.97

5.01

Bagasse production /ha

37.30

36.18

32.25

31.81

35.08

Steam generation (tons /ha)

74.60

72.36

64.50

63.62

70.16

Electric power generation (Mwh/ha)

14.90

14.50

12.90.

12.70

14.00

*This electric power generation is calculated based on using low pressure boilers of 45 bar at Kakira estate Tc = Tons of cane

Table 7. Mean outgrowers cane production/productivity, electrical generation* norms (mean for 2008 — 2012)

Putting into consideration the productivity norms at Kakira estate and outgrowers (Table 8), with a potential of producing 908.9 m tons of sugarcane, Uganda has a potential of producing bio-electricity that surpasses the nation’s demand by far. Much of this electrical power can be exported to the region, greatly expanding on Uganda’s export base.

generation (Mwh/ha)____________________________________________________________

*This electric power generation is calculated based on using low pressure boilers of 45 bar at Kakira estate

Table 8. Combined (Estate + Outgrowers cane production/productivity, Electrical power generation* norms (mean for 2008 — 2012)