Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has officially launched an ambitious Energy Policy for Uganda, which is set to require an estimated USD 250 billion, approximately Shillings 930.881 trillion, to implement over a span of 17 years. Contact online >>
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has officially launched an ambitious Energy Policy for Uganda, which is set to require an estimated USD 250 billion, approximately Shillings 930.881 trillion, to implement over a span of 17 years.
The launch of the Energy Policy for Uganda 2023 event took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, marking a significant stride towards realizing the nation’s vision of sustainable, reliable, and universal access to energy for all Ugandans by the year 2040.
The newly introduced policy aims to tackle various energy-related challenges, including low levels of access to affordable and modern energy services, high power losses within the system, an unreliable power supply, steep connection costs for consumers, environmental degradation, and constrained transmission and distribution networks required to effectively distribute electricity nationwide.
Irene Pauline Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, emphasized that despite Uganda’s abundant energy resources, mainly hydro, biomass, and other renewables, widespread energy poverty persists among households, which represent the largest group of energy consumers in the country, following industries.
Bateebe clarified that the Energy Policy marks a significant step in Uganda’s journey towards a more sustainable and accessible energy mix. It underscores the country’s determination to ensure adequate, affordable, and reliable energy supply, fostering both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, the Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), highlighted Uganda’s economic growth and rapid urbanization as drivers of steadily increasing energy demand. Electricity demand is rising at a rate of 8.2 percent annually, equating to 125,000 new customers every year.
The ERA called upon stakeholders in the electricity generation, transmission, and distribution sectors to collaborate in enabling universal access to electricity throughout the nation. They predicted that energy demand by 2027 would reach 7,664 GWh, with a peak demand of 1,250 MW.
Matthias Schauer, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, commended the new policy during the launch. Germany, through the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), supports Uganda’s efforts to achieve a clean energy mix with a focus on sustainability to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Denis Hamson Obua, the Government Chief Whip, who officiated the launch on behalf of Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, emphasized that the Energy Policy would enable Uganda to accelerate major infrastructure projects such as the standard gauge railway, oil refinery, and electric mobility, while also creating jobs for Ugandans.
The development of the Energy Policy for Uganda 2023 was a collaborative effort involving government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), district local governments, private sector entities, academia, and civil society organizations (CSOs).
The policy aligns with the government’s commitment to regional and international obligations related to energy transition towards a zero-carbon economy. It encompasses strategies for new energy trends, including clean energy mini-grids (solar PV), industrial parks, smart grids, e-mobility, and energy-efficient and smart appliances.
As of December 2022, the national rate of electricity connectivity access stands at 57 percent, with 19 percent on-grid and 38 percent off-grid access. The total installed capacity is reported to be 1,378.1MW, with a peak electricity demand of approximately 700MW.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is pleased to launch its first ever Energy Policy Review of Uganda, in collaboration with Uganda''s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The report will be launched at a special event in Kampala, Uganda, by IEA Deputy Executive Director Mary Burce Warlick and Uganda''s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Ruth Nankabirwa.
The event will include a presentation of the main findings and recommendations of the report by IEA Africa Programme Officer Syrine El Abed, as well as a panel discussion with technical experts from the Ministry and local energy stakeholders.
Participants include government representatives and key energy stakeholders from the private sector, international organisations and civil society. A keynote speech will be given by Norway''s Ambassador to Uganda Anne Kristin Hermansen.
Following a close and productive collaboration between the government of Uganda and the IEA, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development decided this year to draw on the IEA''s expertise to support the development of the country''s Energy Transition Plan. The IEA''s Energy Policy Review of Uganda serves as a situational analysis to provide historical knowledge and recommendations that will feed into the Energy Transition Plan, which will be launched later this year during the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai.
The Energy Policy Review aims to support Uganda as it works to chart its path forward. This includes achieving its goals to eradicate energy poverty, developing its energy resources, promoting clean and sustainable energy, and bringing prosperity to all Ugandans – as set out by national targets and international agreements.
Nabanjja said thepolicy, whichwas produced by the energy ministry with support from GIZ''s (the German agency for international co-operation) Broader Energy and Climate Programme, will shape the future of Uganda.
Uganda’s rich energy as enumerated by Nabanjja, includes hydropower (15,000MW), biomass (10,000MW), solar (10,000MW), geothermal (potential 1,500MW), peat (800MW), wind (200MW), uranium and fossil fuels.
Matthias Schauer, Germany Ambassador to Uganda addressing delegates during the launch of the energy policy for Uganda at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on 13th September 2023.Photo by Juliet Kasirye
“The sustainable development and use of these resources necessitates establishing transparent and well-balanced partnerships with key technology providers across the globe,” Nabanjja said.
“A large portion of this population will be youth who we must support to ensure their employability. Opportunities must be created to support the youth through Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET),” she said.
The ambitious energy plan is meant to facilitate rural electrification for inclusive growth and poverty reduction, irrigation and mechanization to boost agriculture and food security, manufacturing, mining, education and healthcare.
Thepolicyhas been developed in line with the Government’s commitment to regional and international obligations on energy transition towards a zero-carbon economy through strategies on new energy trends such as; the installation of clean energy mini grids (solar PV), the adoption of industrial parks, smart grids, clean energy for transportation (e-mobility) and energy efficient and smart appliances.
The Government has made significant achievements on the objectives set out in the EnergyPolicyfor Uganda 2002. The achievements include; increased electricity generation capacity from 317 MW (2002) to 1,378.1mw (December 2022), resulting in a supply/demand surplus; and increased electricity access from 5% (2002) to 57% (2022).
There is a reduction in electricity distribution losses from over 35% (2002) to 16.8% (2019); the dominance of renewable energy in the national energy mix; enabling environment for private sector investments, and increased energy sector contribution to the national GDP.
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