Time to harness our renewable energy sources
Aug 24, 2009
IT is very hard to talk about development without mentioning energy because of their close linkage. Most people have no electricity and are condemned to live subsistence lives. Access to electricity constitutes an important tool for development considerin
By Sostine Ngabirano
IT is very hard to talk about development without mentioning energy because of their close linkage. Most people have no electricity and are condemned to live subsistence lives. Access to electricity constitutes an important tool for development considering its linkages to agriculture, health, education, banking and other sectors.
Reports show that electricity generation is still dominated by the expensive fossil fuel generators that account for 81% of the total generation. Hydro electricity currently constitutes about 15%, up from 10% following the construction of small hydro power plants like Nshungyezi, Bugoye and Buseruka Hioma.
The Rural Electrification Agency was formed to facilitate the Government’s goal of achieving a rural electrification rate of at least 10% by the year 2012.
Uganda’s current hydro electricity potential stands at 2,000MW. It is estimated that by 2015, following the completion of all the undertaken projects, the total installed capacity will be 1,700MW. With the ever increasing population, it remains doubtful if this power will sustain the urban and rural populations.
Uganda is blessed with renewable energy sources like solar, biomass, wind and geothermal which have remained largely unexploited. These can be used to enhance rural electrification.
Our positioning across the equator gives us a high solar availability throughout the year. There is also a geo-thermal potential in the western part of the East African Rift Valley, estimated at 450 MW. South-western Uganda and areas around Mt Elgon, with the average speed of wind at 4m/s, are conducive for harnessing wind energy. We should, therefore, promote the development of these energy sources to supplement the rural electrification campaign.
The high electricity tariffs should be revised if rural electrification is to achieve its intended purpose. Many people cannot afford electricity where one unit goes for sh426.
Rural electrification will reduce rural-urban migration since investors will be attracted to rural areas. This will come with other benefits like increased access to information and communication, improved health services and the banking sector which is currently moving to the countryside. All these are critical to national development.
The writer is a researcher at the African Institute for Energy Governance
IT is very hard to talk about development without mentioning energy because of their close linkage. Most people have no electricity and are condemned to live subsistence lives. Access to electricity constitutes an important tool for development considering its linkages to agriculture, health, education, banking and other sectors.
Reports show that electricity generation is still dominated by the expensive fossil fuel generators that account for 81% of the total generation. Hydro electricity currently constitutes about 15%, up from 10% following the construction of small hydro power plants like Nshungyezi, Bugoye and Buseruka Hioma.
The Rural Electrification Agency was formed to facilitate the Government’s goal of achieving a rural electrification rate of at least 10% by the year 2012.
Uganda’s current hydro electricity potential stands at 2,000MW. It is estimated that by 2015, following the completion of all the undertaken projects, the total installed capacity will be 1,700MW. With the ever increasing population, it remains doubtful if this power will sustain the urban and rural populations.
Uganda is blessed with renewable energy sources like solar, biomass, wind and geothermal which have remained largely unexploited. These can be used to enhance rural electrification.
Our positioning across the equator gives us a high solar availability throughout the year. There is also a geo-thermal potential in the western part of the East African Rift Valley, estimated at 450 MW. South-western Uganda and areas around Mt Elgon, with the average speed of wind at 4m/s, are conducive for harnessing wind energy. We should, therefore, promote the development of these energy sources to supplement the rural electrification campaign.
The high electricity tariffs should be revised if rural electrification is to achieve its intended purpose. Many people cannot afford electricity where one unit goes for sh426.
Rural electrification will reduce rural-urban migration since investors will be attracted to rural areas. This will come with other benefits like increased access to information and communication, improved health services and the banking sector which is currently moving to the countryside. All these are critical to national development.
The writer is a researcher at the African Institute for Energy Governance