Govt plans solar energy for schools without electricity grid connection

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Where there is no electricity grid, Government will provide solar energy for schools to be constructed under the Uganda Education Expansion Project (USEEP).

According to the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, Government will provide standalone solar systems on long-term performance-based contracts, of up to 10 years, in a partnership between the Education ministry and the Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).

Mrs Museveni, made the revelation on Tuesday at the commissioning a solar system at Balibaseka Secondary School in Kakiri, Wakiso District.

At the event, Mrs Museveni was represented by the state minister for Higher education, John Chrysostom Muyingo, who revealed that the First Lady would have loved to commission the solar system herself but because of her tight schedule, she couldn’t make it.

John Chrysostom Muyingo, state minister for higher education, addresses students and officials at Balibaseka Secondary School in Kakiri, Wakiso District, during the commissioning of the solar system. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

“Maama would have loved to attend this commissioning but due to equally important prior commitments, she is unable to attend, and delegated me,” Muyingo revealed.

In a statement read by Muyingo on behalf of Mrs Museveni, she said that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government remains committed to support initiatives geared towards realizing the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) which calls for "affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all" by 2030.

The First Lady revealed that the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) will continue to lead the electrification of the newly constructed schools under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer (UgIFT) Program, adding that the NRM government is committed to expand, rehabilitate and build more schools to support free education for all in line with its policy.

Mrs Museveni appreciated the Nexus Green Limited for offering a proof of concept to the MoES to showcase the benefits of cost effective energy solutions to the schools.

“With this system installed at Balibaseka SS, the school shall be able to have uninterrupted lighting and this has a ripple effect on learning outcomes and better grades for our learners,” the First Lady said.

Rikki Verma the Nexus Green Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Chrysostom Muyingo, state minister for higher education, and other officials commissioning the solar system at Balibaseka Secondary School in Kakiri, Wakiso District. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

Nexus Green Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rikki Verma, noted that we need to take full advantage of the resources that God has given us for free, adding that God gave us the sun and we should utilize it.

Verma, noted that they are into the solar energy business because they are aiming at a clean and safe environment that is free from pollution, adding that with the installation of solar, the user saves over 65% of the money that he or she has been investing in UMEME monthly.

The head teacher of Balibaseka secondary school, David Bbaale, commended the government and the Nexus Green for installing the solar system, adding that with the solar energy system, learners will have uninterrupted Learning.

“With consistent electricity, our students can now study beyond daylight hours, especially during exam preparation periods. This will improve their academic performance by allowing them more time to engage with their studies,” Bbaale said.

He noted that, solar power will enable the school to integrate modern technologies into the curriculum adding that school costs on electricity have greatly reduced.

“With solar installed in the school, the reduced electricity bills will allow us to redirect those funds toward improving other critical areas of the school, such as purchasing learning materials and improving infrastructure,” Bbaale added.