Overview:
The government hopes that providing energy security will reduce the reliance on trees for wood fuel/ charcoal, which currently is responsible for the massive deforestation in the country.
In the Vision 2040 and National Development Plan (NDP) III, the government of Uganda has set out to achieve 80 percent transition to renewable energy by 2040 and 100 percent by 2050.
For hydropower, Uganda plans to produce 4,500MW by 2040, for solar its 5,000MW, geothermal, its 1,500 MW, biomass 1,700 MW and peat 800MW.
The government hopes that providing energy security will reduce the reliance on trees for wood fuel/ charcoal, which currently is responsible for the massive deforestation in the country.
But with only about 17 years remaining to 2040, electricity accounts for only 2 percent of the total energy consumption in the country, while biomass and fossil fuels take 88 percent and 10 percent, respectively, according to statistics from the Energy Policy of Uganda, 2023.
Activists and energy experts believe that while the government has shown good intentions of transitioning to renewable energy, there is a lot that needs to be done and it is time to walk the talk.
Dr Paul Nduhuura, a lecturer at Makerere University Business School, says the subject of renewable energy must be well integrated in the government’s decision making processes.
“I think the talk about renewable energy transition and transitioning to clean cooking energy should be also aligned or integrated into the talk on economic empowerment and poverty eradication, these should go hand in hand,” he says.
“And this is why also we must discuss aspects of productive use of energy that wherever energy is being delivered, whether it is grid energy, or off grid energy, we should not always look at it as just energy for lighting or homes or watching TV, we should think of energy access for production that we can use solar to make something that we can sell or for any other productive activities,” he adds.
Dr Nichola Mukisa, the deputy national coordinator of the National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP), which brings together all players in the renewable energy sector in Uganda, adds that a massive sensitisation strategy is needed by the government to change people’s mind set on use of renewable energy.
He explains that many Ugandans have misconceptions that some renewable energies such as gas and solar cannot be used to prepare good food and only believe in using charcoal.
“…neutralising the disadvantages and misconceptions about renewable energy will play a great role in ensuring Uganda achieves the 100% target by 2050,” Dr Mukisa says.
He also urges the government to invest in local innovators to research and come up with more clean cooking and lighting technologies.
“Getting the plan as close as possible to stakeholders, engaging closely and helping people to understand their roles as we transition to cleaner sources of energy can be impactful,” he adds.
Mr Yona Turinayo, the coordinator energy, climate and extractives at WWF, says the renewable energy plan must be backed by sound investment.
“If we are to go renewable energy 100 percent by 2050, it means 90 percent has to be solar energy and only 10 percent from other sources including hydrogen. To achieve this target of 100 percent renewable energy, Uganda requires $390 billion of upfront investment,” Mr Turinayo says, adding: “This transition is crucial in preventing deforestation and biodiversity loss.”
Mr James Kakeeto, the regional energy officer at WWF Uganda country office, said local financial institutions should also be supported to start lending at low interest to innovators in renewable energy.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development launched Uganda’s energy transition strategy at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP2) in the United Arab Emirates at the end of the month.
Ms Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, says the energy transition strategy will guide the country how it will generate, distribute, and consume clean energy sources as they transition from the fossil fuels.
Ms Bateebe acknowledges that while funding challenges remain, they hope to use revenue accruing from the oil and gas sector to power Uganda’s Energy Policy, which was launched in September.
Uganda in September launched the Energy Policy, which lays down a strategy for increasing power generation and empowerment of industries, businesses, and households to thrive and prosper. Uganda also plans to generate power from its nuclear power plants by 2031. However, some experts beg live said that with cheaper and cleaner hydropower and solar energy options, Uganda doesn’t need to invest in environmentally risk nuclear power plants.