Climate Investment Funds nod to Uganda’s renewable energy plans

November 12, 2015 in Energy, Renewable by Editor

Uganda seen as placing energy at the forefront of its social economic development

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KIGALI, Rwanda, — Uganda today secured $50 million in financing from the Climate Investment Funds for a programme that seeks to expand geothermal exploration, solar photovoltaic net metering, the building of mini-grids and the development of wind power.The funding comes under the CIF’S dedicated fund for Scaling Up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries Program (SREP).

Uganda is placing energy at the forefront of its social economic development. Right now, only 17percent of the population has access to electricity. In rural areas, that figure drops to seven percent.

“With a population of 35 million, more than 29 million people in Uganda do not have access to electricity,” says SREP senior program coordinator Zhihong Zhang.

The SREP funding endorsed today, he says, “will help tackle this challenge by supporting Uganda in developing indigenous renewable energy resources and will offer opportunities for development even in remote areas of the country.”

“Aside from hydropower, geothermal, solar power and wind all offer lots of potential for Uganda,” he added.

James Baanabe, Uganda’s Commissioner for Energy Efficiency and Conservation in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development says: “Energy is the driver of social economic development so adequate and reliable renewable energy is vital to our vision of becoming a prosperous country within 30 years.