Energy Africa: Uganda, Compact Development and Final Report

Abstract

This report has been developed through interaction with key stakeholders including the Department for International Development, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development other stakeholders and outlines the research that feeds into the Energy Africa Compact Agreement In 2012, 15% of Uganda’s population of 39 million had access to electricity , with a clear divide in terms of accessibility between rural and urban areas. In the former, around 7% of the population can access electricity, while in the latter this number climbs up to 55% . The market potential for off-grid solar in Uganda is, therefore, significant. However, the overall affordability for solar off-grid products is likely to be affected by the high proportion of the population living below the extreme poverty line (38%). Around 200 companies are active in the Ugandan market and it is ranked 3rd out of 19 African countries in the Climatescope assessment which evaluates countries’ investment climate and enabling environment for low carbon energy and green economy development . There are various types of off-grid electricity services based on renewable energy technologies in Uganda. These are primarily solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, and mini-distribution systems (mini-grids) drawing electricity supply from decentralised power generation facilities. In Uganda’s 10-year Rural Electrification Strategy and Plan (RESP) 2013-2022, the target is to increase installations of PV or solar home systems (SHSs) and mini-grids by a further 140,000 . In addition, the SE4ALL Action Agenda and Investment Prospectus (2015) set ambitious targets of energy access, with solar PV as the main contributor to delivery of off-grid electricity. This research is part of the ‘Technical Assistance Facility to Deliver Africa Energy Compacts’ programme