Stakeholders in clean and renewable energy sub-sector during the UNBS meeting
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, has initiated the development of new standards aimed at regulating and promoting the adoption of clean and renewable energy systems on both local and international markets.
This was revealed during a sensitization workshop held at UNBS headquarters on Tuesday on standards and product certification in the clean cooking sub-sector involving UNBS, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP), Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the clean cooking technologies and fuels sub-sector, and other clean energy stakeholders.
According to UNBS officials, the standards cover a wide range of renewable energy technologies including solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, biogas units, mini-hydro systems, and energy-efficient appliances. The standards are expected to provide technical guidelines on design, installation, maintenance, and performance.
Irene Keissy Atim, representing the Commissioner of Renewable Energy at the Ministry, highlighted that while the transition to clean and renewable energy is increasing, so is the pressure on Uganda’s forests due to population growth in both rural and urban areas. This underlines the need for a more robust transition process and regulation of the clean energy industry to ensure that products in the market are both effective and offer value for money.
“There is need to focus not only on reducing emissions but also on addressing the role of educational institutions, which are major consumers of biomass energy,” Keissy said.
Explaining the importance of standardization, UNBS Executive Director Eng. James Kasigwa, noted that the standards contribute significantly to Uganda’s economy, accounting for 23.7 percent of the country’s GDP.
“Standards affect nations, enterprises, families and individuals. We must work together to make sure that Uganda is known for quality products. Our new value proposition is to grow quality MSMEs by handholding them to meet the requirements of quality standards and we have set up an MSME division responsible for that. We will leverage Government programs like Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, etc to grow MSMEs,” said Eng. Kasigwa.
With the growing renewable and clean energy industry, Kasigwa stressed the importance of maintaining strict product standards for local consumption and the export sector.
Patricia Bageine Ejalu, Deputy Executive Director Standards, assured the private sector that the goal was not to sabotage technology and innovation, but to ensure that products meet health and safety standards. She stated that with the rising population and urbanization, it is crucial for manufacturers and dealers to understand what is required to produce quality products.
With time, only products bearing the Q-mark, the UNBS symbol of quality certification would be allowed on the market, Bageine added.
UNBS and stakeholders agree that a well-developed renewable energy sector is crucial for protecting human health, especially for women and children who are more exposed to harmful smoke from firewood and charcoal.
National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP) Head of Research and Capacity building, Dr. Paul Nduhura, commended UNBS for the new approach of hand holding MSMEs to meet requirements of the quality standards as opposed to policing them.
He welcomed remarks by the UNBS Executive Director, Eng. James Kasigwa, emphasizing facilitation of businesses rather than frustrating businesses.
Jim Ssebaduka, Chairman of the Uganda National Alliance on Clean Cooking, also welcomed the initiative, stating that the standardization will promote fair trade.
He added that currently, anyone can bring any product in the market, which undermines quality and putting consumers at risk.
UNBS says access to clean and modern cooking solutions is not just a matter of convenience, rather, it is a matter of public health, environmental protection, and gender equity.
“85% of Ugandan households still rely on traditional biomass fuels, which contribute significantly to indoor air pollution and climate change. In the services sector, solid biomass accounts for nearly 95% of demand, primarily for cooking and water heating in public buildings such as schools and restaurants,” UNBS says.