Electricity access scale-up project launched in Teso

Soroti, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Teso sub-region now has hope for electricity access to households, commercial enterprises and public institutions thanks to the Access Scale-up Project (EASP) launched by Energy and Mineral Development Minister Ruth Nankabirwa.

The project valued at USD 638 million and funded by the World Bank is going to be implemented over five years through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Developement and the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalization Company (UECCC) across the country.

The project aims at increasing electricity access to households, commercial enterprises and public institutions in rural areas through on-grid and off-grid solutions. It also aims at increasing access to clean energy cooking services by supporting private sector enterprises promoting efficient cooking solutions.

Paul Mwesigwa, the Managing Director of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) says that priority shall be given to areas with low-voltage electricity poles. He says that UEDCL has so far connected over 4,000 people in Teso but intends to reach out to at least 50 per cent of the targeted population within the given timeframe.

Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Developement says that there will be free electricity connections to all the sub-counties in the Teso sub-region. She asked the LCV Chairpersons across the region to furnish her office with details of areas that have not fully been connected for immediate action.

Serere District Chairperson, Stephen Ochola asked the ministry to ensure that it meets its targets of extending power to all government institutions especially schools and health facilities in rural settings.

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