Experts have urged Ugandans to embrace solar energy for both domestic and industrial use such that they have an option when the hydropower electricity supply declines.
Dr. Nicholas Mukisa, an expert in Renewable Energy from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, says that with the effects of climate change which causes drought, there is a likelihood that water levels in water bodies where hydropower is generated shall reduce.
Dr. Mukisa says that in 2002, and a few preceding years, there was a drought in some parts of the country, which affected water levels and hence reduced the hydropower generated. He says that the government resorted to thermal electricity like that in Namanve Industry Park to deal with the effects of limited power supply prompted by reducing water levels but the plants have since been decommissioned.
The plant in Namanve, which used to generate 50 megawatts has since been decommissioned to generate only seven megawatts, said Dr. Mukisa who was speaking at the graduation ceremony of solar technicians at Silver Springs in Bugolobi.
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Dr. Mukisa adds that as Uganda moves towards Industrialization, there is need for more reliable energy amidst climate change challenges. Harold Schutzeichel, the Director of Stiftung Solar Energy Foundation, says that solar energy should be embraced especially because it is cheaper and is decentralized.
He says solar can be easily accessible to people in rural areas where there is a limited transmission of hydroelectricity. Schutzeichel who started a solar company more than 20 years ago in Germany, says that Ugandans should improve their investment in solar not only to offer cheaper energy but to make sure that the profits remain in the economy.