With the commissioning of East Africa’s largest solar power plant yet in Opuyo parish, residents of Soroti now have hope that they can enjoy more affordable and stable power supply.
Located on 33-acre land, the $19 million (about Shs 67 billion) power plant generates 10MW with potential to increase capacity output by a further 20MW.
It is the country’s first grid-connected solar plant and is expected to generate clean, low-carbon, sustainable electricity to 40,000 homes, schools and businesses in the area.
The project was developed under the Global Energy Transfer Feed in Tariff (“GET FiT”), a support scheme for renewable energy projects managed by Germany’s KfW Development Bank in partnership with the Electricity Regulatory Agency (ERA).
State minister for Energy Simon Dujang who inaugurated the project yesterday says that the solar plant would help stop further environmental degradation and grant citizens efficient and reliable energy. He says Uganda has vast potential for solar which will be harnessed.
The European Union head of delegation to Uganda, Kristian Schmidt said in his speech that Uganda is a good place to invest in solar energy as the regulatory framework is conducive and government rightly recognizes Uganda’s energy future must be renewable.
“It is great that this is now triggering private sector interest in solar power generation. The European Union is proud that our grant contribution ensures the realization of the Soroti Solar Plant, and I hope this is only just the beginning for many more to come.” he says
Reda El Chaar, executive chairman, Access Power says “the project in Soroti raises the bar on what can be achieved through teamwork and we look forward to more collaborative efforts to expand the footprint of clean energy across this mighty continent.”
