Electricity Regulatory Authority unveils Museveni’s Electricity Sector Achievements as Uganda Celebrates its 61st Independence Anniversary
The Management and Board of Directors of Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) wishes H.E Yoweri
Kaguta Museveni the President of Uganda & our Sector Minister Hon Ruth Nankabirwa and the
People of Uganda a happy 61st Independence Anniversary,9th October 2023
In 1954, Uganda had one electricity dam called the own falls dam which was completed and commissioned by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. By 1986, Uganda had only one Hydro Power dam in Jinja. As of now, Uganda’s Electricity sub-Sector has grown from Three (3) Generation Plants in 2001 to over 40 Plants and is still growing.
Since its inception over six decades ago, Uganda’s Electricity sub-Sector continues to evolve, hitting major milestones across the three segments of generation, transmission and distribution. The commitment of the NRM Government to infrastructure as enlisted has facilitated a major transformation, delivering the Country from Power Supply deficiency to affordable, clean and reliable electricity- Eng Ziria Wako the CEO of Electricity Regulatory Authority said.
The Government has established a US 5.7 Cents per kWh Tariff for industrialists able to increase production capacity to maintain their monthly billing invoice without affecting the financial sustainability of the Electricity Supply. The move targets to support the Country’s industrialization agenda. The Government of Uganda has further introduced a Cooking Tariff of UGX 412 per kWh for domestic consumers to promote clean cooking- Dr. Sarah Wasagali Kanaabi the Chairperson of Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) told Public Opinions.
The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has since its establishment presided over a steadily growing sub-Sector that has eliminated load shedding due to increased generation and accelerated Electricity Access for End-Users. The reforms enabled the country to attract investments in the generation segment of the Electricity Supply Industry. ERA has been involved in creating mass awareness and information dissemination on the electricity sector transformation. In 2022, the Authority distributed countrywide over 35,000 posters on the achievements of the NRM Government in the Electricity Sector.
Uganda’s Electricity sub-Sector has grown from Three (3) Generation Plants in 2001 to over 40 Plants and is still growing. To ensure Sustainable Electricity Supply, ERA has over the years created a conducive regulatory environment and incentives aimed at diversifying the Country’s Generation Mix.
Uganda’s Electricity sub-Sector is run under a liberalized set up following its Liberalization in 1997 and the enactment of the Electricity Act, 1999. President Museveni led the Liberalization and enactment of the Electricity Act, 1999 which mandated the unbundling of Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) which was a monopoly managing generation, transmission, distribution, sale, import, and export of Uganda’s Electricity. Uganda’s Electricity Supply Industry is now regulated under the Electricity Act, 1999, Chapter 145, the Energy Policy, the National Environment Act, Chapter 153, and the Statutory Instruments and Guidelines issued by the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA)- Mr. Julius Wandera The ERA Director Corporate and Consumer Affairs Explained.
With the wise leadership of H.E YOWERI Kaguta Museveni, The electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has continued with the implementation of the following projects: Karuma Hydropower plant (600MW), Muzizi (48MW): Isimba HPP 183MW, Namanve thermal power plant, Ayago Hydropower Project (840), Kiba Hydropower Project (400 MW) an Oriang Hydropower Project (392MW).
With effect from 14th December 2022, the No-Pole electricity connection cost was reduced from UGX 720,883 to UGX 470,000. Electricity connec[1]tion applicants now have the option of paying the full UGX 470,000 upfront or a minimum of UGX 200,000 and accessing a credit facility of up to UGX 270,000 availed under the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) financing scheme. The UDB credit facility, at zero interest rate, is recover[1]able from the customer at a minimum of 15% of every electricity purchase over a period of up to 8 years, with an option of early repayment.
With a strong and dedicated Management and Technical team at the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) led by Eng Ziria Tibalwa, All district headquarters have been connected to the National electricity grid except Buvuma District. The Feasibility Study to connect Buvuma District headquarters to the electricity grid was completed. Government has secured funding for the marine cable to connect the Buvuma district to the National grid. President Museveni is spearheading the National campaign for Electrification of all the 570 Sub-counties to accelerate access is progressing well and is expected to be completed soon- Eng Ziria Wako the CEO of Electricity Regulatory Authority told Public Opinions.
In 2022, the Government of Uganda successfully completed the amendment of the Electricity Act, Chapter 145 Laws of Uganda. The amendment, among other benefits, provides deterrent penalties for vandalism of electricity infrastructure, a vice that frustrates efforts to accelerate access and provide quality and reliable electricity services.
For the Fifth Consecutive Year, Uganda’s electricity regulatory framework was identified as Africa’s finest in the Electricity Regulatory Index study conducted by the African Development Bank in 2022. On December 2022, Public Opinions recognized Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) with the Responsible Investment Global Certification Award as the Best Regulatory Authority in Uganda at a high level ceremony presided over by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President of the Republic of Uganda. Eng Ziria Wako the CEO of Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) was inducted by Public Opinions on the 2022/2023 Uganda Great 40 Leaders Who is Who Hall of Fame Poster.
As the country is celebrating the 61st Independence Anniversary, it’s important to note that the electricity sub sector has attained remarkable improvement in the Distribution of Electricity in Uganda. Power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure have continued to expand. Generation capacity increased to 1378.1 MW as at March 2023 from 1,343.9 MW in March 2022, an increase of 34.3 MW. With the commissioning of the Karuma Hydropower Project planned for September 2023, generation capacity will increase to 1978 MW. The 6 MW Nyagak III Hydropower project is also due for commissioning before end of 2023.
In transmission, a total of 417 km of transmission lines were added to the main grid during the year, bringing the total transmission line network to 4,011 Km. To enable evacuation of power from the 600MW Karuma Hydropower project, the 248 km Karuma-Kawanda, the 55km Karuma[1]Olwiyo, and the 76km Karuma-Lira lines have been completed.
In 2024, 761 km of transmission lines and associated power sub-stations will be constructed to improve the stability and reliability of the networks. With wise leadership of H.E Yoweri Kaaguta Museveni,Uganda will build capacity of the Uganda Electricity Generation and Transmission companies to manage the generation and distribution networks after the expiry of the ESKOM and Umeme concessions. Government committed Shs. 1.3 trillion for this year for Electricity interventions.
To heighten its effort on consumer protection, on guidance from H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, ERA established a Consumer Protection Center. The Centre is a redress point for unresolved electricity complaints from consumers. In 2023, ERA will also establish its first regional office in Gulu District and later roll out the same to other regions of the country. The regional offices aim to bring the regulatory services closer to electricity users and enhance the monitoring of Licensees’ compliance with Quality of Service standards.
Energy Losses have been reduced from over 3% at liberalization to 14% in 2022. The Access to Clean Energy rate has also increased and the legally Grid-Connected Customer Base has grown from approximately 180,000 Customers in 2001 to 1,700,000 in 2022, including Off-Grid Customers. These are great achievements that we must celebrate as a country. This has been made able due to the commitment of H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the dedicated leadership of Electricity Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Energy and Minerals Development.
Affordable,Clean and Reliable electricity is the cornerstone for the realization of the Uganda National Budget Theme: Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialisation, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation and Market Access-Eng Ziria Tibalwa ERA CEO told Public Opinions.
As of December 2022, a total of 348,954 households had received access to electricity under the Electricity Connections Policy (ECP).
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To increase the level of electricity access, the Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP) has been developed by Government with support from the World Bank aiming to increase access to energy for households, commercial enterprises, industrial parks and public institutions. The Project commencement is planned for FY 2022/2023.
Because of a conducive regulatory environment created by ERA, a remarkable improvement in the Distribution of Electricity in Uganda has been realized. Energy Losses have been reduced from over 30% at liberalization to 16% in 2020. The Access to Clean Energy rate has also increased and the legally Grid-Connected Customer Base has grown from approximately 180,000 Customers in 2001 to 1,643,288 in 2020, including Off-Grid Customers.
As a way of growing Access to Clean Energy across the Country, ERA has licensed several Electricity Distribution Operators across the Country to serve the hitherto unserved and predominantly rural community. The number of Electricity Distribution Companies now stands at Nine (9). The Distribution Companies are: Umeme Limited, West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECo), Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Bundibugyo Electricity Cooperative Society (BECS), Kyegegwa Rural Energy Co-operative Society (KRECS), Pader-Abim Community Multi-Purpose Electric Co-operative Society (PACMECS), Kilembe Investments Limited (KIL), Hydromax, and Kalangala Infrastructure Services Limited (KIS). These companies are operating in various regions of the Country, which has increased Access to Electricity.
Electricity Regulatory Authority-ERA as the Regulator of Uganda’s Electricity Supply Industry has an established fully-fledged Consumer Affairs Unit (in the Department of Corporate and Consumer Affairs), which handles Electricity Consumer Complaints that have not been resolved by the Distribution Companies. The Consumer Affairs Unit operates a Contact Center that can be reached by the Public on Telephone Number 0200-506000 during working hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday) and across various online platforms. These several contact points are aimed at promoting Consumer Protection, to give the Consumers the opportunity to be heard when they are unhappy with their Electricity Service.
Regarding Biofuel Development and Promotion, The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is finalizing the gazetting of the licensing authority and development of Biofuels Regulations to operationalize the implementation of the Biofuels Act 2020. The draft regulations define the minimum blending of biofuels in petroleum products. The regulation further establishes the requirements for licensing procedure for production, storage, blending and transportation of biofuels.
On Development of Busitema 4MW Solar Project,The Government of the Republic of Uganda and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt finalized the installation of the 4 MW grid connected solar project at Busitema University.
The Uganda Government installed 60 solar street lights in Nagongera Town Council, Lumino Town Council, Buikwe Town Council, Rwetuha Town Council, and Mukono Municipal Council.
With the technical support from the electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development finalized plan to commission six fully constructed solar mini-grid plants of Kasenyi 37.23 kW, Kashaka 28.05 kW, Kazinga 26.01kW, Kihuramu 18.36 kW, Kisebere 16.83 kW, and Kisenyi 32.13 kW in Rubirizi and Kasese districts. These solar mini grids were constructed by World Wide Fund for Nature.
On Solar water pumping schemes, The ministry facilitated 11(eleven) solar water pumping schemes (WSS) that commenced in July 2020 in the areas of: Malere WSS in Kamwenge District, Kyamutunzi WSS in Kyenjojo District, Kiboga WSS in Kiboga District, Katuugo and Kakooge WSS in Nakasongola District, Wol WSS in Agago District, Oyam WSS in Oyam District, Ovujyo WSS in Maracha District, Kacheri WSS in Kotido District, Awoo WSS in Omoro District and Aloi WSS in Alebtong District.
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