Uganda: The Solar Alternative

By JOSHUA MASINDE
Published July 30, 2009

Solar panels on display in Uganda. Photo by Joshua Masinde

In recent months, Uganda has faced sharp increases in the costs of fuel and power. The enormous demand for fuel has resulted in ever-skyrocketing costs of electricity in the country. The situation almost went to the dogs following an acute shortage of fuel, necessitated by the previous year’s post-poll crisis in neighbouring Kenya.

Despite the drop in prices of crude oil to a record low of US$ 36 per barrel early this year, production and transportation costs kept fuel prices to as high as Ushs4,000 (about $2) per litre. Yet, beyond these challenges, there is the potential of untapped solar energy in Uganda, which many Western European countries such as Germany and Denmark, have exploited to meet the energy needs of their economies.

Should this solar energy be tapped and put into effective use in Uganda, it could lead to cutting down on consumption costs, maintaining a pollution free environment, creating wealth through commercial ventures, and eventual job creation.

In Uganda, solar energy is in its neophyte stage. Where it has been proliferated, it is making a big difference and transforming the lives of beneficiaries. Speaking recently at a conference in Kampala, Dr. Maegaard Preben, director of Folkecenter for renewable energy in Denmark, said that effective use of solar energy reduces power consumption by 65 percent. He observed that if developing countries such as Uganda could tap the sun as a renewable source of energy, it would last for as much as five billion years.

Investment in the solar energy sector in Uganda has tremendously reduced household expenses. Other forms of energy such as hydro-electricity, petroleum and wood fuel are expensive as Santore Alekua, a local council III chairman of Ajia Sub-county in Arua district attested.

“One electricity pole is about Ushs1.5 million ($750) and purchasing poles to cover 8km is too much,” he said, adding that the community members, especially in the rural locations of Arua district in Northern Uganda, can’t think of extension lines leave alone purchasing one pole. Even people staying in towns are contemplating solar energy as an alternative source of cheaper power.

The adoption of solar energy in rural areas, with the ever increasing price of electricity is beneficial in many ways. In some areas of Arua, Tororo, Luwero, Mukono, and Kampala, it is used to charge cell phones, batteries and cells for radio and torches, lighting up homes and even powering radio and television sets.

Besides, the commercial viability of solar energy is central to such groups as Ajia Trading Centre Community Project in Arua, which has about 15 members who use solar panels for their commercial engagements. The solar panels, donated by Joint Energy and Environment Projects (JEEP), power the refrigerator at the community health centre. Some members in the community project in Ajia Sub-county, now charge phones for the local people at a cost of Ush500.

Unlike in the past when solar energy was alien to this area, “People go to bars and shops that have solar and revel late into the night,” Alekua said.

Paul Mubiru, director of energy and mineral development speaking recently on solar energy in Kampala. Photo by Joshua Masinde

The solar energy projects were originally initiated in Arua, Luwero, Kampala and Tororo. The project, initially the brainchild of JEEP, focused on environmental sustainability and conservation. However, Bob Kazungu, the projects officer of IT power, Eastern Africa, said they had to add solar energy to their docket after they discovered its unique potential. He acknowledged the increasing demand for energy in all aspects of life. “Demand for renewable energy services is very high, and for solar, it is overwhelming.”

Currently, only about 31 percent of the Ugandan population has access to electricity, Kazungu observed, adding that the 2001-2010 strategic energy plan aims at increasing access to electricity to over 400,000 homes.

Although a lot has been achieved in tapping solar energy, the solar project in Uganda still faces challenges of poor quality appliances and limited accessibility because of the high costs of solar related products.

According to Kazungu, about 80 percent of solar companies in Uganda are Kampala based. This has made solar products not only unaffordable but also inaccessible. However, government has intervened by providing subsidies to the solar sub-sector in Uganda and liaising with donors such as the World Bank, which promises to offer cheaper alternative energy.

“Taxes have been waived on some of the appliances as part of the subsidies,” said Paul Mubiru, director for energy, and mineral development. Although he admits that solar is relatively expensive in terms of operational and maintenance mechanisms, at least 101 schools have access to it already.

Mubiru also observed that rural areas are highly sidelined, and there is need for an alternative energy source, which could shield many a poor household in such areas from expensive fuel and electricity. With such a possibility, Uganda could be on the path to expanding its solar energy base for a cleaner, healthier environment.

Related Posts

Tags: fuel, power