Electricity in Uganda in 2022

In 2022, Uganda's total electricity consumption was 5.33 TWh, with the majority of it coming from low-carbon sources. Over 90% of this clean energy was generated from hydropower (4.81 TWh), highlighting Uganda's reliance on this energy source. This emphasis on low-carbon energy significantly contrasts with global reliance on fossil fuels, but Uganda's per capita electricity consumption remains notably low compared to the global average. With a global average of 3,606 watts per person, Uganda's per capita consumption is considerably lower, affecting economic development and quality of life due to limited access to reliable electricity, which is crucial for modern industries, healthcare, and education.

Suggestions

To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Uganda can look to successful strategies used by other countries. For example, China has significantly increased its clean energy capacity with 950 TWh from wind and 653 TWh from solar. Similarly, India has made substantial investments in solar (125 TWh) and wind (92 TWh). Uganda could learn from these countries by investing in wind farms and solar panels to diversify its low-carbon electricity sources. Collaboration with countries like Brazil, which generated 97 TWh from wind, and leveraging international expertise and financing could further support Uganda in ramping up its green energy initiatives.

History

Historical data shows that Uganda's journey towards increasing low-carbon electricity started slowly but gained momentum in recent years. Between the early 1990s and mid-2000s, increments in hydroelectric generation were modest, with minor gains of 0.2 TWh to 0.3 TWh annually. The year 2006 saw a significant setback with a 0.7 TWh reduction in hydro output, but subsequent years witnessed a general upward trend, particularly post-2012, where there were substantial increases such as 0.9 TWh in 2012 and 0.4 TWh in 2013. The latter half of the 2010s reflected a more consistent growth pattern in hydropower generation, alongside modest contributions from biofuels starting in 2015. This increasing trend suggests that with continued effort and diversification, Uganda can significantly boost its low-carbon electricity generation moving forward.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources