In Uganda, the state of electricity consumption as of 2022 highlights a marked reliance on low-carbon sources, particularly hydropower, which generated around 5.6 TWh that year. This means more than half of Uganda's electricity comes from clean sources, with hydropower contributing the lion’s share at 4.98 TWh. The overall electricity consumption per person stands at just 122 kWh, far below the global average of 3813 kWh per person, indicating significant room for growth. Low levels of electricity generation can lead to underdevelopment, as electricity is crucial for health services, education, and economic growth. To power advancements and improve quality of life, it's important for Uganda to expand both its electricity generation capacity and consumption per person.
Is Electricity Growing in Uganda?
The trajectory of electricity consumption in Uganda displays a positive trend. In 2022, there was an increase of 7 kWh per person compared to the previous year, reaching 122 kWh per person. This growth is echoed in the low-carbon sector, which climbed by 6 kWh per person to 118 kWh in 2022. The upward movement is heartening, suggesting a strengthened commitment to expanding access to sustainable energy. However, this increase, though positive, needs to accelerate if Uganda is to catch up with the global average and mitigate potential setbacks from energy shortages, which can hamper growth and sustainability efforts.
Suggestions
To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, Uganda can learn valuable lessons from other countries' experiences with solar and nuclear energy. For example, India generated significant amounts of electricity from solar and wind, with 134 TWh from solar and 82 TWh from wind. Emulating such strategies could help Uganda harness more solar energy given its favorable climate conditions. Additionally, countries like France demonstrate the potential of nuclear energy with their strong nuclear output of 379 TWh. By investing in these technologies, Uganda could diversify its energy portfolio and reduce dependency on any single source of power, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable energy future.
History
Reviewing the history of low-carbon electricity in Uganda, particularly in hydropower, reveals a pattern of gradual but steady progress. Notable growth occurred in various periods, such as the early 2000s and the early 2010s, with increments of 0.2 to 0.9 TWh. However, this journey hasn't been without challenges, as seen in years like 2006 and 2009, where there were declines in hydropower generation. Yet, these setbacks were addressed in subsequent years of growth like in 2012 and 2021, reflecting a resilient movement towards sustainable electricity generation. Continuous focus on developing low-carbon electricity will be pivotal for Uganda’s growth strategy moving forward.