Uganda receives SEK 2.7 billion from Sweden for solar energy
Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited has received SEK 2.7 billion in grants from Swedfund to carry out feasibility studies for floating solar development in the country.
| THE INDEPENDENT | UEGCL’s CEO, Harrison Mutikanga and Sweden’s Ambassador to Uganda Maria Hakanson signed a memorandum of understanding in Kampala on 12 October.
“The grant has been secured and the process of hiring a consultant for the studies is ongoing,” says Mutikanga.
The study is estimated to take approximately 21 months from January 2022, with a focus on pioneering the floating solar development on one of the reservoirs at the hydropower plants in; Nalubaale, Kiira, Bujagali, Isimba or Karuma.
This is the first floating solar study conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, according to Mutikanga.
To date, close to 80% of Uganda’s installed electricity capacity is from hydropower exposed to climate change.
The other energy sources are from co-production, thermal and solar cell voltage.
Energy sector experts say that such measures are to improve the energy mix dilemma and ensure supply stability in line with demand.
Liquid sun does not require land and thus no displacement of people; it gives Uganda a chance to exploit the existing reservoirs for hydropower plants and divides the existing transmission infrastructure to evacuate the power from floating solar plants. It also reduces evaporation on the hydropower reservoirs.
Mutikanga said, in times of severe dry seasons that could potentially cause declines in water levels and instability in the power supply, this type of renewable energy is useful in stabilizing supply.
Mutikanga said that 20 people are already undergoing training to acquire skills in the operation and maintenance of this type of solar system.
On the other hand, Hakanson said that renewable energy is a priority for Sweden due to the climate change it offers. The new grant is an addition to previous and ongoing support that has previously been extended to Uganda, in particular through the Rural Electrification Agency, the United Nations Capital Development Fund and other areas of cooperation.
Increasing production capacity for power is the key to meeting the growing demand and goals of Uganda’s Vision 2020. The country has 1,177 MW as production capacity against demand estimated at 800 MW at its peak.
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