Amending the Electricity Act 1999 will reduce the cost of electricity

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is in the final stages of amending the Electricity Act 1999 to liberalize the energy sector for proper service delivery of electricity and reduce the cost of electricity.

Speaking during the Power Forum in Kampala, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Ruth Drinkable Ssentamu said that the government wants to do away with a single buyer model so that there is the reduction of power tariffs since the sector will be liberalized in the current Electricity amendment bill.

According to Nankabirwa, this new bill will put in place measures aimed at reducing vandalism of electricity infrastructure where culprits will be subjected to harsh punishments.

Similarly, currently, the Ministry of Energy need US Dollars 3 billion to resume the free electricity connection policy to reduce the cost of power connection in the country in a bid to scale up universal power access in the country

Additionally, Uganda defends its continued export of electricity to neighboring countries despite reports of power blackouts in the country since Uganda currently produces 2000MW power but demand remains low hence exporting power to Kenya and Tanzania.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited Valentine Katabira said that low consumption and demand for power in Uganda has compelled them to export power to neighboring countries in a bid to reduce the cost of electricity.

As Uganda celebrates the energy and mineral week, civil society groups advocating for clean energy have reminded the government to be mindful of biodiversity such that energy developments in sensitive areas do not harm nature.

Development and exploration of Oil and Gas in Uganda 80% of the oil fields are located in protected areas of the Albertine and its incumbent upon the government to make sure such developments do not harm nature in a negative way said the country Director of World Wide Fund for Nature WWF David Duli.

Speaking during the sidelines of the Power forum in Kampala, Duli said that as the government tries as much as it can to scale up power access, they don’t expect negative impacts on the ecosystem of these oil fields by emphasizing environmental impact assessments of any energy project.