From EDGAR BATTE in Kampala, Uganda
KAMPALA, (CAJ News) – UGANDA’S immense power potential and enormous energy investment opportunities will be in focus when stakeholders and decision makers meet for the inaugural ‘Future Energy Uganda’ in a fortnight.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has endorsed the summit set for September 12-13 in the capital Kampala.
The meeting will provide a platform for project developers, finance houses and multilateral investors, construction and planning companies as well as technology providers from Uganda, the region and from the rest of the world.
“We welcome this initiative, realising that it fits within our plans of providing adequate and reliable energy for social and economic development of our country,” said Ugandan Minister of State for Energy, Engr Simon D’Ujanga.
Future Energy Uganda will be part of a national event “The Energy Week”, which has been running for over 10 years, and highlights the need to use renewable and alternative sources in a sustainable manner.
“The numbers in Uganda’s energy sector speak for themselves: the country is without a doubt the next energy investment destination,” said Future Energy Uganda director, Le-ann Hare-Keymer.
Current statistics about the Ugandan power sector and development plans include indicate the grid expansion is set at 1,42 million new rural connections by 2030 to connect 570 000 rural households – a US$ 6,2 billion project.
Uganda has commissioned a 10MW solar power plant, the largest in East Africa.
The country has a strong focus on renewable energy going forward with renewable energy share goals of 96 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050.
– CAJ News