Ugandan power officials study ghana’s pioneering hydro-solar integration at bui dam

Led by Margaret Njuki, Board Chair of the Ugandan Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), the delegation toured the Bui reservoir—home to West Africa’s first floating solar photovoltaic system—where solar energy is ingeniously integrated with traditional hydropower generation.

“We’re witnessing remarkable progress as Ghana blends hydro with solar,” Njuki said during the visit, underscoring the shared energy transition challenges and opportunities facing both Uganda and Ghana.

The team engaged in comprehensive technical exchanges and toured key infrastructure including dam control systems and solar monitoring facilities.

The Bui Power Authority (BPA), which manages the facility, showcased its hybrid model as a blueprint for achieving diversified, low-carbon electricity generation.

“We integrate hydro with solar to build cleaner, resilient systems,” said Kwaku Sarpong Akosa, BPA’s Director of Technical Services. He noted the operational challenges of such integration, while reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to innovative, climate-conscious power development.

The Ugandan delegation’s visit coincided with the 2025 Water Storage and Hydropower Development for Africa Conference, held in Ghana, where the continent’s renewable energy future is under sharp focus. Experts at the summit have consistently highlighted the hybridization of renewable sources as key to bolstering energy security and climate resilience across Africa.

This visit not only strengthens bilateral ties between the two nations but also exemplifies a broader continental momentum toward intra-African knowledge sharing.

Hybrid renewable projects like Bui are increasingly seen as vital stepping stones for African nations striving to meet growing energy demands sustainably while navigating global climate imperatives.