The renewable energy landscape in East Africa has achieved a significant milestone with the official commercial commissioning of the 24 MWp Ituka solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Uganda. Developed by the United Arab Emirates-based independent power producer (IPP) AMEA Power, this USD 27 million installation marks a historic breakthrough as the very first utility-scale solar power plant to enter operation in the country’s West Nile region, as well as AMEA Power’s inaugural operational asset within Uganda.
Situated in the Madi Okollo District, the newly operational facility addresses long-standing grid reliability challenges in northwestern Uganda. For years, the West Nile region operated largely on localized infrastructure, experiencing distinct power constraints that hindered broader economic growth. The integration of the Ituka solar plant is expected to dramatically alter this landscape by injecting a steady, reliable flow of clean electricity directly into the national grid.
The project operates through a dedicated special purpose vehicle established by the developer, known as Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited. Power generated from the 52-hectare site is evacuated via a newly energized 25 MVA 132/33 kV substation connecting directly to the high-voltage transmission network. The state-owned Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) serves as the primary offtaker under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), ensuring that the distributed energy feeds seamlessly into broader distribution networks to support rising regional electricity demand and emerging industrialization ambitions.
The realization of the USD 27 million project was made possible through a strategic financial coalition blending debt and equity provided by AMEA Power alongside the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), a member of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). Financial viability and investor confidence were further reinforced by support mechanisms like the Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF) administered by the African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), which offers crucial short-term liquidity guarantees.
Environmental projections indicate that the Ituka solar farm will generate nearly 54 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity annually. This substantial influx of renewable energy is expected to power over 190,000 local households while simultaneously offsetting thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
The launch of the Ituka facility marks another successful chapter in AMEA Power’s aggressive expansion strategy across the African continent, following major solar commissioning milestones in markets such as South Africa and Tunisia. Industry stakeholders view the project as a vital stepping stone toward Uganda’s broader national goal of scaling up solar capacity as part of its long-term energy transition strategy.
