FACT SHEET1: Ugandas Transition

to Clean Energy Equals Implementing

its Climate Action The Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC) under
the Paris Agreement.

Photo: UCSD

For distributed renewables to continue to take off, there needs to be a strong enabling
environment, with the provision of public finance to help mobilize private sector
investment; well-enforced laws and regulations; well-coordinated, strong institutions
and community engagement and participation - Michael Westphal - Senior Associate,
Sustainable Finance (World Resources Institute)
FACT SHEET1: Ugandas Transition to Clean Energy Equals Implementing its Climate Action The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

Photo: NATURE PALACE FOUNDATION

What is the Status of the Progress to Increase the Use of will take some time before clean
Modern Renewable Energy From 4% to 61% of the Total energy sources replace fossil
Energy Consumption by 2017 in Uganda? fuels, not only because fossil fuel
reserves are at record high, but

T he Ministry of Energy and Mineral Developments Energy Week is an

annual awareness campaign to sensitize the public about efficient
utilization of energy and alternative modern forms of clean energy. The
also because clean renewable
energy sector has only started
developing, and it needs a long
Week focuses on different interventions that all departments of the period of time before it can
Ministry of Energy (and their partners) are engaged in, with a view to commercially compete with fossil
promote sustainable energy access and use. fuels.

The National Energy Week 2017 is under the theme: Access to The 2017 Uganda National
Clean Energy, a Bridge to Sustainable Development. Clean energy is Energy Week theme underscores
needed to save the world from the climate change and also to ensure Ugandas Renewable Energy Policy
energy security for years to come. Fossil fuels will eventually become (2007) that has a vision to make
depleted and before this happens, the world needs to have alternative modern renewable energy a
solutions readily available. Clean energy certainly looks like the best substantial part of National Energy
possible solution. Clean energy means environmentally-friendly or Consumption. The Policy has the
environmentally more acceptable energy sources compared to fossil overall goal to increase the use of
fuels; and nuclear energy that though does not release Green House modern renewable energy from
Gases (GHGs) has potential to generate radioactive nuclear waste. 4% to 61% of the total energy
consumption by 2017.
Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) specifically are usually referred
to as dirty energy sources because of the damage they do to our Hence, in addition to taking stock
environment and our planet in general. Fossil fuels, when burnt of progress made in promoting
release harmful greenhouse gases, mostly in form of carbon dioxide renewable energy against the
(CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O) and Nitrous gases which above 2017 target, this Years
accelerates the climate change impact. Unlike renewable energy sources National theme needs to clearly
which can in certain situations cause some environmental damage fossil make the link to the Paris Climate
fuel burning always causes environmental damage. Agreement and specifically
However, despite the restorative potential of clean energy options, it Ugandas plans to contribute to
FACT SHEET1: Ugandas Transition to Clean Energy Equals Implementing its Climate Action The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
Photo: JEEP
climate change mitigation and
adaptation through addressing the
Countrys rising energy needs.
Promotion of Renewable
Energy in Uganda:
The challenge
A t the East African regional
level, the challenge in the
heating and cooking sector is to
make the use of biomass more
sustainable and develop a truly
renewable energy source (EAC,
2016). Renewables offer a prime
opportunity to increase power
generation capacity and to
relieve pressure on hydrological
resources. However, the potential
of renewables to meet energy
needs across the power, heating
and cooking, and transport sectors
has not been harnessed to-date.
Water and biomass contribute
a lot to meeting the energy
demands of Ugandas fast growing
population. However, the uneven
use of available resources has led
to insufficient supply of energy, a
situation which is aggravated by
consumers mostly inefficient use of the little energy that is available.
This has placed Uganda among the lowest consumers of modern and
clean energy, both in sub-Saharan Africa and the world (MEMD, 2017).
Energy access in Uganda currently stands at less than 10% with an
estimated 90% of Ugandans relying on wood (biomass) as their primary
source of energy (SNV, 2017). While there is a growing demand in the
energy sector for improved cook stoves and small solar solutions, there
are limitations on how to deliver these solutions to the last mile end-
users. Small enterprises do not have the capital to scale up and promote
their products.
In addition, Uganda has a low rate of electrification at 15%. Moreover,
the electricity that is generated is often used wastefully, hence
aggravating the already insufficient energy supply. The situation has
caused Uganda to be one of the worlds lowest energy consumers,
with the low consumption being attributed mainly to the largely
underdeveloped state of the energy sector.
On the contrary, Uganda is richly endowed with renewable energy
resources for energy production and the provision of energy services
with a potential estimated at about 5,300 MW (Africa-EU Renewable
Energy Cooperation Agreement, undated). These resources however,
remain largely unexploited, mainly due to the perceived technical and
financial risks. Hydro and biomass are considered to have the largest
potential for electricity generation. But also solar power receives
increasing attention by investors. Moreover, located in the East African
Western Rift Valley, Uganda has promising potential for the exploitation
of geothermal energy. Wind speeds are generally low and wind power is
thus negligible.
FACT SHEET1: Ugandas Transition to Clean Energy Equals Implementing its Climate Action The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

Photo: JEEP

One of such focus areas is the

Promoting Clean Energy as Part of Ugandas Climate Action transition from fossil fuels to
renewable energy sources as they

A s part of the Paris Agreement, Ugandas climate action the

Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) prioritizes adaptation
(the process of adjusting to the impacts of a changing climate, seeking to
play a role in providing energy
services in a sustainable manner
and in particular, mitigating climate
moderate or avoid harm, and exploit beneficial opportunities). It includes change.
a commitment to undertake a range of energy efficiency and improved
land use management practices in the forestry and agriculture sectors, On the other hand, implementation
which are expected to amount to an economy-wide reduction in total of the mitigation activities will
GHG emissions of 22% below Business as Usual (BAU) scenario levels by largely be contingent upon receipt
2030. This is because, the livelihoods of Ugandans are highly dependent of sufficient international support,
on the exploitation of her natural resources, including climate. provided in the form of finance,
technology and capacity building.
Therefore Uganda seeks to work on reducing vulnerability and addressing Possible support could be accessed
adaptation in several focus areas including that which will be scaled up to through various climate finance
increase resilience at the grassroots level. instruments and international
market mechanisms.
Under Ugandas NDC, energy plays a key part of the planned climate interventions under both
the planned adaptation and mitigation actions as summarised below:
Adaptation
Priority sector Priority Actions
Forestry Promoting intensified and sustained forest restoration efforts
(afforestation and reforestation programmes, including in urban areas)
Encouraging agro-forestry
Encouraging efficient biomass energy production and utilization technologies
Water Extending electricity or expanding use of off-grid solar system to support water supply

Energy Increasing efficiency in the use of biomass in the traditional energy sector
Promoting renewable energy and other energy sources
Increasing the efficiency in the modern energy sector, mainly of electricity
Ensuring the best use of hydropower by careful management of water resource
FACT SHEET1: Ugandas Transition to Clean Energy Equals Implementing its Climate Action The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

Mitigation to address energy supply and demand

Sector Measure
Energy Construction of enabling infrastructure for electricity sector development, including power lines,
(power supply) substations and transmission facilities.
(Development of the electricity sector holds great mitigation potential for Uganda due to the
potential offsetting of wood and charcoal burning, and the consequential deforestation)

Source: Extract from Ugandas INDC submitted to the UNFCCC

Achieve a total of at least 3,200 Mega Watts renewable electricity generation capacity by 2030, up
from 729 Mega Watts in 2013.

Energy demand Sustainable energy solutions in public buildings:

Energy efficiency in hospitals
National Appropriate Mitigation Action for Integrated Sustainable Energy
Solutions for Schools in off-grid areas
Promotion and wider uptake of energy efficient cooking stoves or induction cookers.
Promotion and wider solar uptake of solar energy systems.
Development and enforcement of building codes for energy efficient construction and renovation.

Energy Development and implementation of a long-term transport policy accounting for climate change
mitigation concerns.
(transport)
Fuel Efficiency Initiative National Appropriate Mitigation Action: Policies and regulations to promote
cleaner fuels, and more fuel efficient vehicle technology.

According to Ugandas INDC / NDC, implementation of these additional activities is contingent upon receipt

of sufficient international support, provided in the form of finance, technology and capacity building. Possible
support could be accessed through various climate finance instruments and international market mechanisms.

Despite these intentions, Uganda still faces several key constraints to promotion of renewable energy
(Tumwesigye, R., et al, 2011). These include:

1. Inefficient production and use of biomass energy with adverse effects on the environment and the health
of biomass energy users, especially in rural households;
2. Low public awareness about the efficacy and potential of renewable-energy technologies;
3. The markets for equipment and services for renewable energy are underdeveloped because of high initial
investment costs and lack of financial capacity to cover the initial investment;
4. The poor quality of some technologies available reduce their lifetime and damages the image of
renewable energy overall, given the lack of mechanisms to monitor standards and ensure quality
control in use of renewable energy;
5. There are inadequate financing mechanisms and other incentives to facilitate investment, communication,
promotion and dissemination of renewable-energy technologies.

References for further reading September 4, 2017

East African Community Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Regional Status Report (2016): http://www.ren21.net/wp-content/
uploads/2016/10/REN21-EAC-web-EN.pdf.pdf accessed
September 4, 2017
Ministry of Energy and Mineral development (2017). Concept
on the Energy Week 2017 http://www.energyandminerals.go.ug/
downloads/TheEnergyWeek2017concept.pdf
SNV (2017) SWITCH to clean energy campaign kicks off in
Uganda http://www.snv.org/update/switch-clean-energy-campaign-
kicks-uganda accessed September 4, 2017
Summary of the Paris Agreement: http://www.climatefocus.com/
sites/default/files/20151228%20COP%2021%20briefing%20FIN.
pdf accessed September 4, 2017
Tumwesigye, R., et al, (2011) Key issues in Ugandas energy
sector http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/16030IIED.pdf accessed
Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (2017). Uganda
National Project Baseline Report Promoting Implementation of
the Paris Agreement (PIPA) in East Africa: http://www.inforse.
org/africa/pdfs/PIPA_Uganda_Baseline_Report_May_8_2017.pdf
accessed September 4, 2017
Ugandas Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): http://
www4.unfccc.int/ndcregistry/PublishedDocuments/Uganda First/
INDC Uganda final 14 October 2015.pdf accessed September
4, 2017
Ugandas Renewable Energy Policy (2007): https://eaenet.org/
wp-content/uploads/2017/02/The-Renewable-Energy-Policy-for-
Uganda-2007-2017.pdf accessed September 4, 2017
Uganda Renewable Energy Potential: https://www.africa-eu-
renewables.org/market-information/uganda/renewable-energy-
potential/#energy_statistics Accessed September 4, 2017
 Photo: NATURE PALACE FOUNDATION

This Fact Sheet has been prepared by UCSD as part of the Project: Promoting Implementation of the
Paris Agreement (PIPA) in East Africa - with a pro-poor focus involving INFORSE Network, Sustainable
Energy, TaTEDO and SusWatch Kenya supported by CISU (Denmark).

Through the PIPA, the above Partners are contributing to strengthening the pro-poor focus and climate
change ambitions in the implementation of the Paris Agreement in East Africa. This is being done
through assessing implementation (readiness) of the NDCs. This is the principal cornerstone of the
Paris Agreement. More about the Project: http://www.inforse.org/africa/East_Africa_PIPA.htm

Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the project funder

Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development, P. O. Box 27551 Kampala. Tel:+256414269461

E-mail: ugandacoalition@infocom.co.ug Web: www.ugandacoalition.or.ug