U.S. energy policy changes aimed at revitalizing energy projects and achieving energy dominance are boosting emerging natural gas hubs in Africa, as initiatives like Mozambique’s stalled natural gas project attract substantial investment. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | US President, Donald Trump’s series of rollbacks on restrictions to the country’s …
Read More »Isimba Hydropower Dam at risk
Structural defects and contractor delays now threaten Uganda’s energy future Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | The Isimba Hydropower Dam, a flagship project in Uganda’s energy sector, was envisioned as a cornerstone of the country’s long-term development goals. Commissioned in 2019, the 183MW facility was meant to provide affordable and reliable …
Read More »ADF approves $153.66 million for Uganda-South Sudan electricity interconnection project
The objective is to integrate South Sudan into the East African Power Pool network to address electricity shortages and problems associated with reliability and affordability of electricity supply in South Sudan. Abidjan, Ivory Coast | THE INDEPENDENT | The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund has approved several …
Read More »Battery storage is booming in Africa
As Africa shifts towards renewable energy, homes, businesses, and institutions are increasingly adopting battery storage systems to reduce reliance on the national grid. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Africa is experiencing a major boom in battery storage, as residential homes, businesses and institutions like hospitals and schools cut down …
Read More »Solar on the rise as Africa’s countries, businesses and homes fight rising fuel costs, outages
With rising fossil fuel costs and persistent power blackouts, countries like Egypt, Zambia, Nigeria, and Angola are stepping up their solar capabilities, shifting Africa’s concentration of solar power away from South Africa. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | More Africans are rushing to catch up on solar energy as the …
Read More »UECCC initiates ORIO mini hydropower project to enhance rural electrification
Mitooma, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC), the Government of Uganda has officially launched the ORIO mini hydropower project in Western Uganda. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Rwakitandara Playground …
Read More »Tanzania to host landmark Energy Summit for African Presidents
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The African Development Bank Group, World Bank Group, African Union, and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania will host a landmark Energy Summit for African Heads of State and Government on Monday, January 27, and Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, …
Read More »Technology breakthroughs could unlock geothermal’s potential
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | With global electricity demand set to grow strongly, new technologies are opening up the massive potential of geothermal energy to provide around-the-clock clean power in almost all countries around the world, according to a new IEA report. The report, The Future of Geothermal Energy, finds …
Read More »Average 2024 inflation registered at 3.3%
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The country’s inflationary landscape has seen a mixture of modest improvements and persistent challenges. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the Annual Average Headline Inflation for 2024 was registered at 3.3 percent, a significant improvement from the 5.4% recorded in 2023. The drop …
Read More »UEDCL gets power distribution license to replace Umeme
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL) has officially been handed the electricity distribution license ready to replace Umeme Ltd, effective April 1, 2025. Umeme’s 20-year concession ends in March 2025, and UEDCL’s takeover of the distribution mandate is in line with the government’s decision …
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