In Uganda in 2022, electricity consumption is heavily skewed towards low-carbon sources, with clean energy making up the vast majority of the generation. Hydropower leads the charge, contributing almost 5 TWh, while the total low-carbon production stands at around 5.6 TWh. This represents more than three-quarters of Uganda's electricity supply from clean sources, indicating a strong commitment to sustainable generation. However, this is set against an electricity consumption per person of merely 122 kWh, which is starkly below the global average of 3781 kWh per person. This low level of electricity access potentially hampers economic advancement, as limited electricity availability can stifle productivity, education, and healthcare, crucial elements for improving living standards.
Is Electricity Growing in Uganda?
Over recent years, Uganda has made modest gains in expanding its electricity consumption. From 2021 to 2022, the total electricity consumption per capita increased from 115 kWh to 122 kWh, signaling a growth of 7 kWh per person. Concurrently, low-carbon electricity generation per person rose by 6 kWh, from 112 kWh to 118 kWh. While these increments signal progress, they also emphasize the need for more aggressive growth to meet rising demands and bridge the gap with global electricity consumption norms. Increasing the overall electricity supply, especially from low-carbon sources, remains imperative to support Uganda's developmental aspirations.
Suggestions
To elevate its low-carbon electricity generation capacity, Uganda can draw insights from successful regions that have bolstered their solar and nuclear outputs. Regions like China and the United States offer instructive examples, with China producing over 1000 TWh from both solar and wind, and the United States generating substantial output from nuclear. These achievements underscore the viability of solar and nuclear as central energy sources. Closer to Uganda's context, India presents a similar geographical advantage that could support solar expansion, having generated 154 TWh from solar. Emulating such successes, Uganda should prioritize investments in solar and nuclear infrastructures to cultivate a sustainable electricity landscape that can power its future growth.
History
Tracing the history of low-carbon electricity generation in Uganda reveals a varied journey, particularly with hydropower, which has seen fluctuating increments over the decades. The 1990s and early 2000s witnessed modest growth, with significant jumps in specific years like 2000 and 2012, experiencing increases of 0.3 TWh and 0.9 TWh, respectively. However, the late 2000s had setbacks, such as a notable dip in 2006 when hydropower saw a reduction of 0.7 TWh. Recent years have been more consistent, showcasing a positive trajectory with annual increases, especially in 2021, when hydropower increased by 0.6 TWh, demonstrating resilience and a push towards more reliable low-carbon electricity production. These consistent gains align with Uganda's broader strategy to enhance its clean energy footprint, despite the occasional historical challenges.