Uganda's electricity consumption in 2022 displays a significant reliance on low-carbon sources, with a focus on hydropower and biofuels. Hydropower contributes 4.98 TWh to the low-carbon total of 5.6 TWh, meaning the vast majority of the clean energy comes from harnessing water resources. Combining these figures indicates that low-carbon sources dominate Uganda's electricity generation. Despite this positive inclination toward sustainable energy sources, the total electricity consumption per capita stands at 122 kWh/person, which is significantly lower than the global average of 3781 kWh/person. This stark difference suggests potential limitations in access to electricity and constrains economic growth, since insufficient electricity generation can impede industrial development and access to advanced technologies.
Is Electricity Growing in Uganda?
Encouragingly, Uganda's electricity consumption saw an upward trend in 2022, with an increase from a previous record of 115 kWh/person in 2021 to 122 kWh/person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per capita increased from 112 kWh/person to 118 kWh/person, showing a parallel growth in both total and clean electricity production. This progress represents a positive development in addressing energy needs, highlighting ongoing efforts and investments in Uganda’s energy sector. Nonetheless, the rate of growth remains modest, underscoring the need for strategic actions to accelerate electricity generation to meet future demands and support economic advancement.
Suggestions
For Uganda to further expand its low-carbon electricity generation, it can take inspiration from successful examples in other regions. Solar and wind are promising areas for growth; China and India have expanded solar energy to impressive levels, and similarly, Uganda can benefit by capitalizing on its abundant sunlight. Wind energy also offers potential; for instance, Brazil's development in this field underlines the opportunity for effective wind resource utilization in similar geographic contexts. While Uganda currently does not use nuclear energy, adopting nuclear power could offer a significant boost to its clean energy portfolio, emulating the successes of countries like France, the United States, and South Korea. By leveraging solar and nuclear technologies, Uganda has the opportunity to achieve a sustainable and robust electricity supply, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and fostering environmental benefits.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Uganda reveals a pattern of gradual and steady growth, with hydropower leading the charge since the early 1990s. While the early 2000s were characterized by modest increases, with slight setbacks like a decline in 2006 and 2009, the period following 2012 was marked by more consistent and substantial growth. Hydropower experienced robust expansions in 2012 and beyond, particularly with notable increases in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, biofuels have played a smaller but complementary role, adding further diversity to the energy mix. This history reflects Uganda's proactive approach in enhancing its clean energy capabilities, laying a solid foundation for future advancement. Moving forward, Uganda can build on its achievements by further diversifying its energy sources while focusing on increasing the scale and reliability of low-carbon electricity.