Uganda is targeting reducing the share of biomass energy used for cooking from 85% in 2018/19 fiscal year to 50% by 2024/25.

A senior government official in the Ministry of Works and Transport Samson Bagonza said that engineers in the energy sector have provided solutions and also designed renewable energy projects for hydropower, solar and geothermal.

The Ministry of Works and Transport, Engineer-in-Chief Samson Bagonza said that engineers in the energy sector have provided solutions and also designed renewable energy projects. (Courtesy photo)

Uganda’s biggest source of energy for cooking is biomass. Biomass energy is the use of charcoal and wood. The use of biomass energy has led deforestation (through cutting down of trees for wood and charcoal) and is also responsible for high carbondioxide emissions.

Statistics show that Uganda energy sources are biomass 85%, oil products accounting for 11% and electricity at 4%. Annually, Uganda losses 120,000 hectares of forest cover of which 60% (72,000 hectares) is due to charcoal and firewood.

A Ugandan household emits 30 tonnes of carbon per year compared to 5 tonnes in UK.

Energy Transition Plan

The Country’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP) priority is to reach every household with energy access by 2030.

The plan promises a surge in renewable energy production, aiming to increase capacity to a staggering 52 GigaWatts by 2040.

Under the plan, the government is committed to helping at least 94 per cent of the population change from biomass energy sources such as charcoal and firewood to renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric power, and solar by 2030.

This is to sustainably use the environment as global governments work to keep the planet's temperatures within 1.5 degrees celsius to reduce global warming.

The East African Community (EAC) partner states recently reaffirmed their commitment to enhance energy efficiency and exploit wind, solar and geothermal energy as sustainable energy sources for the region.

Partner states have subsequently embarked on various initiatives in an effort to tap into the potential of renewable energy and energy conservation such as review of national renewable energy laws, implementation of energy management regulations, national strategies and standards for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and promotion of energy efficiency and conservation.