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Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Residents in remote areas of Kasese district are to benefit from solar energy thanks to the construction of six solar mini power stations in Kasese and Rubirizi districts to enhance Uganda’s goal of achieving access to universal clean and renewable energy.
The power stations were built by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in partnership with the World Wide Fund-Uganda (WWF-U) with financial support from European Union-EU. In Kasese, the power stations are found in Kuhuramu and Kisebere in Kitholu sub county and Kasenyi in Lake Katwe sub county.
They target to supply power to over 900 households and 200 business units. Simon D’ujanga, the Energy State Minister who visited the power stations in Kasese on Friday says that they have received the necessary equipment and discussions on the tariffs and other technicalities are ongoing between different stakeholders.
D’ujanga told URN that the ministry is to invest more resources and work with private sector partners to support strategies aimed at increasing access to clean energy in rural and peri-urban areas.
The minister said the connection will be managed by the Rural Electrification Agency-REA and private sector under the supervision of the Electricity Regulatory Authority-ERA.
David Duli, the WWF Country Director says that they have been implementing a five-year project in energy, climate and extractives with the main objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through widespread access to clean and renewable energy.
However, Duli says the project was not in isolation from the various programs they are undertaking in renewable energy across the Albertine region and the country at large.
Kasese district LC V chairperson, Ssebendire Bigogo Thembo has called on the government to increase its partnerships so that more power stations can be put in place to extend power to the most remote areas in the district. The chairperson also appeals to government to improve the road infrastructure to create holistic development.
Selvesto Masereka, a resident of Mwaro in Kasenyi calls on REA and the government to offer fair tariffs that can be affordable to the local people. He prefers the tariffs to be discussed with the consumers before the connection plans are undertaken.
With a population of more than 40 million people, Uganda’s total renewable energy potential is estimated to be above 6,500MW and only 20.4% of this is utilized in form of electricity.
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