Kiwanuka advocates renewable energy
Jul 17, 2008
UGANDA needs more investors in renewable energy since it protects the environment, investment state minister, Prof. Semakula Kiwanuka, has said.
By David Muwanga
and Florence Ntegeka
UGANDA needs more investors in renewable energy since it protects the environment, investment state minister, Prof. Semakula Kiwanuka, has said.
“The rising prices of fossil fuels worldwide make it imperative for the Government to promote development and utilisation of renewable energy and the associated technologies,†Kiwanuka said.
“The technologies that come with renewable resources include biomass fuels like ethanol, bio diesel, biogas, methanol, and efficient stoves, kilns and solar water heaters,†he said at the opening of a workshop at Hotel Africana.
Kiwanuka said renewable energy was important for Uganda where electrification access was still low.
“Uganda’s electrification stands at about 9% nationally and 3% in the rural areas, meaning that electrification in most parts of the country through grid extension in the near future is still a far cry.â€
He said renewable resources were one of the important ingredients for enhancing growth and rural transformation.
“The Government has taken stringent measures to develop and promote renewable energy as an integral part of the country’s energy future.â€
He said the Electricity Act 1999, Cap 145, 2000 provides for the development of renewable energy.
The renewable energy policy, 2007, was developed to increase usage of renewable energy from the current 4% to 61% of the energy consumption by 2017.
The Government thus started promoting the decentralised off-grid power supply model for remote areas to be provided by sources like hydro and solar.
and Florence Ntegeka
UGANDA needs more investors in renewable energy since it protects the environment, investment state minister, Prof. Semakula Kiwanuka, has said.
“The rising prices of fossil fuels worldwide make it imperative for the Government to promote development and utilisation of renewable energy and the associated technologies,†Kiwanuka said.
“The technologies that come with renewable resources include biomass fuels like ethanol, bio diesel, biogas, methanol, and efficient stoves, kilns and solar water heaters,†he said at the opening of a workshop at Hotel Africana.
Kiwanuka said renewable energy was important for Uganda where electrification access was still low.
“Uganda’s electrification stands at about 9% nationally and 3% in the rural areas, meaning that electrification in most parts of the country through grid extension in the near future is still a far cry.â€
He said renewable resources were one of the important ingredients for enhancing growth and rural transformation.
“The Government has taken stringent measures to develop and promote renewable energy as an integral part of the country’s energy future.â€
He said the Electricity Act 1999, Cap 145, 2000 provides for the development of renewable energy.
The renewable energy policy, 2007, was developed to increase usage of renewable energy from the current 4% to 61% of the energy consumption by 2017.
The Government thus started promoting the decentralised off-grid power supply model for remote areas to be provided by sources like hydro and solar.