New energy policy seeks to improve electricity access

The Government has launched an energy policy, which ;seeks to increase access to and affordability of electricity. ;

The policy also seeks to attract private sector investment to complement public investment in the four segments of generation, transmission, distribution and exports/imports.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabanjja, who was represented by ;Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua, ;launched the Energy ;Policy ;for Uganda 2023 on Wednesday at the Sheraton Kampala ;Hotel.

Nabanjja said the ;policy, which ;was 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.

"The sustainable development and use of these resources necessitates establishing transparent and well-balanced partnerships with key technology providers across the globe," Nabanjja said.

She revealed that Cabinet tailored the ;policy ;focusing on factors including the projected population and workforce increases.

"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. ;

Ambitious plan

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.

The ;policy ;has 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 ;policy ;covers renewable energy, clean cooking, electrical power, rural electrification and access, energy efficiency and conservation, nuclear energy and selected cross-cutting issues.

The Government has made significant achievements on the objectives set out in the Energy ;Policy ;for 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.

The new ;policy ;states that there are increased efficiency initiatives in the biomass sub-sector, liberalisation and improved sector regulation; increased awareness of environmental compliance and enactment of various legislation and ;policy ;instruments to strengthen sector governance.

The national rate of electricity connectivity access is 57%, with 19% on-grid and 38% off-grid access with a total installed generation capacity of 1,378.1mw and peak electricity demand of approximately 700mw. Households comprise the largest energy consumer group, followed by industry and transportation.

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