Ruth Nakabirwa, the minister of Energy and Mineral Development, says Uganda plans to produce more than 52,000 megawatts of electricity by 2040 to meet the country’s growing demand for electricity. She said this is part of the government’s 2023 Energy Transition Plan, which aims at supporting industrial growth and national development.
“Energy remains central to our national development goals,” she remarked, “we aim at reaching 52,000MW by 2040 through hydropower, solar, wind, nuclear and geothermal.”
Uganda has close to 2,100MW of installed electricity. However, the population boom coupled with the expansion of the economy means the available electricity will not be enough for the country in the next five to 10 years.
The emergence of more industrial parks and heavy-duty sectors such as the steel industries has pushed up demand for electricity. Nankabirwa said the government aims at unlocking Uganda’s full energy potential through exploring other sources and putting in place an enabling environment for the sector.
“As government, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to enabling policies, regulatory clarity, and a business environment that drives investment, ensures transparency, and serves the interests of all Ugandans,” she said.
Nankabirwa was speaking at the closure of the 10th Energy Convention organized by the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals (UCEM), which was held at Serena hotel recently under the theme ‘Integrating Oil, Gas and Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future.’
In his address at the convention, Aggrey Ashaba, the chairman of the governing council of UCEM, emphasized the need for diversifying energy generation through renewables such as solar, wind and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
“It’s not only necessary for meeting the country’s growing energy demand but also crucial in achieving climate goals.”
He called for the ongoing campaigns, like ‘90 Days of Oil & Gas,’ to enhance public awareness and education about the Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which aims to facilitate this transition while maximizing socio-economic benefits.
Additionally, Ashaba affirmed UCEM’s commitment to collaborating with the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to adapt educational curricula, ensuring that they meet the specific needs of the industry.
Gabriel Obiang Lima, the Equatorial Guinea finance minister, who attended the convention, acknowledged the critical role that infrastructure plays in energy security, noting that many successful energy projects globally are built upon well-integrated pipeline systems that facilitate efficient resource distribution.
He explained that “infrastructure is clearly important for our natural energy security. And at the same time, it is important for the regional interest.”
He pointed out the alarming contrasts in energy access and infrastructure development between Africa and other regions, advocating for a robust strategy that not only enhances energy production but also strengthens the entire energy supply chain.
Beside Museveni, ministers, mps, tribal leaders & the few rich, does the rest of Uganda population have real housing & money to pay for electricity for use of cookers, fridges, televisons, computors… they don’t even have chance to?
Why are Ugandans still POWERLESS tribally divided ruled ensuring they remain slaves, while heartless officials, tribal leaders live so so well with tax money, spit on them?
Why will tribally divided Ugandans without National/Common Leader for Common Goal, go for next deadly elections to ensure they remain slaves officially, legally, constitutionally, for good?
Without UNITY with just ONE National/Common Leader, Rwandese Museveni will rule with or without fake presidential election & he doesn’t need mps either!
When will Ugandans understand only them, but in UNITY as ONE PEOPLE, with just ONE of them as Common Leader, will give chance to a different future for the next generation without Museveni & family owning the zone formed by their tribal lands?
Why are tribal leaders still in posts & Ugandans go for fake elections to ensure they remain slaves for good?
Its purpose is for export but for the home consumption it will remain power outages as usual. It means nothing to us so I am not excited at all. I live in Kiwatule but I might as well be staying in Ntungamo. Even this rural place might be better.
Dream on Minister Nankabirwa. I am sure you are simply spewing out figures, to impress the man who appointed you into your job.
Let her also dream that when she wakes up it will indeed be a reality and country will be lit like a Xmas tree
You have taken 40 years to move from 200 MW to 2,100 MW, and you think you can move to 52,000 MW in 25 years? Fool yourself! Even the 185 MW Isimba dam that you built at a staggering 3 trillion shs is collapsing less than 10 years since its commissioning!