Implications of utilising 66 kV as a distribution voltage in Uganda

Abstract

The expected load growth in Uganda will require the number of distribution feeders to increase significantly in order to meet the growing demand. The electricity demand of the industrial sector in particular, grows at an average rate of 10% per annum. In order to meet this growing demand with the existing network, both transmission and distribution would have to increase on the number of grid substations and feeders in their networks, which will in turn be very costly in terms of time and economics. By incorporating a high voltage such as 66 kV into the distribution network, distribution companies can be able to adequately meet the growing demand of these large power consumers, all while incurring less losses and less costs. This project aims at assessing the technical and commercial implications of utilizing high voltages such as 66 kV to meet the projected load growth of large power consumers such as industrial and commercial/business parks in Uganda.