Siemens has made positive strides in collaboration with the Ugandan government and key stakeholders to identify opportunities to support some of the country’s immediate and long-term energy and infrastructure ambitions.
Speaking during a panel session at Future Energy Uganda, Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO of Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa commented that since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in May this year at the World Economic Forum in South Africa, there has been significant progress to pinpoint areas of collaboration.
Priority Activities
“At a high-level we have identified priority activities to strengthen the transmission grid and create innovative business-driven solutions that are practical, affordable, reliable and also sustainable to electrify Uganda’s rural households,” said Dall’Omo.
Uganda has one of the lowest electricity access rates by global and regional standards. The national access to grid electricity is less than 22% and only 7% of the rural population is currently electrified. Increasing electrification is a major drive to achieve national social  as well as economic development objectives under Vision 2040.
The country has embarked on a massive grid expansion plan. According to the Electricity Regulator Authority, Uganda will require approximately $2.5bn by 2026 to invest in both the transmission and distribution system.
Create Opportunities
“A reliable and extensive power supply system is the fundamental pre-requisite for economic growth. Similarly, infrastructure and oil sector investments are likely to support growth in Uganda over the medium term. The potential exists for Uganda to diversify its economy and create opportunities for industrialization that will increase electricity demand, create sustainable revenue streams and opportunities for job creation,” added Dall’Omo.
Also read:Uganda in need of US$2.5bn to build power infrastructure
“We know that a reliable and extensive power supply system is the fundamental pre-requisite for economic growth. On the other hand, infrastructure and oil sector investments are likely to support growth in Uganda over the medium term. The potential exists for Uganda to diversify its economy and also create opportunities for industrialization. This in turn will increase electricity demand, create sustainable revenue streams and opportunities for job creation,” added Dall’Omo.
Generation of Energy
The generation of Uganda’s energy mix is currently from three main sources; hydro power contributing the bulk at close to 80% while thermal (+/-22%) and biomass (+/-3%) contribute the balance. The country has the potential of generating power from other renewable sources. Some of which include; peat, solar PV, bagasse co-generation, wind and natural gas. All of which can be supported by Siemens technologies.
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