Government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral development has announced plans to increase demand for the generated electricity aimed at creating efficient consumption to spur investments by accelerating access to electricity.
Uganda’s power generation capacity increased from 939.24MW in June 2018 to 1,174.69MW as at June 2019.
“The installed power generation capacity increased with the addition of 235.45MW to the grid from 939.24MW in June 2018 to 1,174.69MW as at June 2019. This increment was a result of completing and successfully commissioning of Isimba dam 183.2MW; Nkusi 9.6MW; Mahoma 2.7MW; Waki 4.8MW; Sindila 5.25MW; Mayuge Solar 10MW and Kabulasoke Solar 20MW. This shall be another milestone to the energy generation capacity for industrialization and economic development,” Energy Ministry recently said.
During the power forum 2019 held at Pearl of Africa Hotel on Wednesday, the Minister of state for Energy, Eng Simon D’Ujanga said that the ministry will extend power to Industrial Parks, implement the new Free Connection Policy, fast track Rural Electrification through electrification of the 491 Sub Counties, and extend high voltage interconnections within the East African Region for trade purposes.
The forum was held under the theme: “Sustainable power development for industrialization”.
The Minister further highlighted plans by the Government to have universal access to electricity by 2030, to ensure sustainable economic development.
D’Ujanga decried acts of vandalism of electrical installations, noting that these highly and negatively impacts electricity supply, with billions of Shillings being spent on reinstating the vandalized infrastructure.
The Minister noted that due to vandalism, there is interference with the electricity supply network causing blackouts, which threatens security of homes, disrupts education and health services and increases the cost of doing business.
“In additional to other strategies, government has put emphasis on growing the demand through a number of interventions. These include putting in place 25 industrial parks to provide power to industrialists at affordable tariffs, Power export to the region under the East African power pool to eastern DRC, expanding the grid infrastructure ensuring that large quantities of power are provided,” he said.
The Power Forum is one of the activities under the 14th edition of the “Energy week” whose major aim is to sensitize the general public about the different ways of utilizing energy resources in a sustainable manner and to facilitate the exchange of ideas and discussion on pertinent energy-related issues. Over 170 exhibitors are showcasing their products, such as renewable and energy efficient technologies, petroleum products, and other energy innovations at KCCA ground Lugogo.
Various organizations in the Electricity Supply Industry participated in the “Energy Week”, including the Electricity Regulatory Authority, Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited, and the Rural Electrification Agency among others.
By Drake Nyamugabwa
