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Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) has struck a partnership with a Norwegian company W. Giertsen that will boost cooperation in the area of developing renewable energy projects.
Officials of W.Giertsen Energy Solutions were in Kampala recently to conclude a Memorandum of Understating (MOU), whose main objective is to outline how UEGCL will cooperate with the Norwegians in the areas of developing solar power plants, solar water pumping systems, hydro-solar and hybrid power plants.
The focus will be mainly in the rural areas by having off-grid and mini-grid systems. UEGCL will work with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in some of these projects.
The partnership will also explore the option of having pilot off-grid solar solutions targeting mainly community facilities like health centers and schools. If successful, the idea could be sold to government and rolled out under different national programs.
“The partnership will go a long way in opening up opportunities for further cooperation between the Norwegian Government and UEGCL in the areas of renewable energy development, and capacity building,” the UEGCL Norway is a country rich in renewable energy and with reputable institutions which can benefit the capacity building efforts of UEGCL. This partnership will therefore in turn contribute towards the attainment of the Government of Uganda’s Goal of sustainable and affordable electricity to the people of Uganda.”
According to a statement released after the meeting between UEGCL and the Norwegians, some of these could also be construed as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities given the scale of implementation.
“In line with the National Vision 2040, as well as the National Development Plans, UEGCL’s Strategic Direction 2015-2017 prioritized the implementation of an Energy Mix Strategy as a means of reducing dependency on Hydropower, and thereby diversifying the portfolio of power generation,” the UEGCL statement said, adding “key considerations in this regard include the exploration of Solar and Geothermal. This strategy is justified by the current unpredictable weather patterns and climate change trends which have at times stifled increased power generation capacity and also impeded access.”
UEGCL is a wholly owned Government Company while W.Giertsen Energy Solutions is a private limited company located in Norway, with vast experience in renewable energy.
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editor@independent.co.ug
