The pilot project has seen 25 villages, eight trading centres and selected public institutions that have not been not part of the national electricity grid in Lamwo district with more expected to be connected to the power grid.
Over one thousand households and small local businesses in the
remote areas of Lamwo district have sighed with relief after being connected to
the solar power mini-grid under the rural electrification project.
The mini solar power grid is being funded by the government
through the Office of the Prime Minister under the Development Initiative for
Northern Uganda (DINU) project, the Rural Electrification Agency -REA with
support from the European Union and German Cooperation -GIZ.
The pilot project has seen 25 villages, eight trading centres and selected public institutions that have not been not part of the national electricity grid in Lamwo district with more expected to be connected to the power grid.
The benefiting trading centers include Pawena in Palabek Gem
Sub County, Ogili in Palabek Ogili Sub County, Ngomoromo and Aweno Olwiyo in
Lokung Sub County, Paloga in Paloga Sub County, Tumanun and Loromibenge in
Agoro Sub County.
Some benefitting villages are Kapeta, Ayuu Alali in Palabek
Kal Sub County, Muddu Central, Otaa, Apyeta West, Apyeta Central in Palabek
Ogili Sub County; Pangira, Logwok, Licwar Central, Lelapwot West in Lokung Sub
County.
Others are Opoki in Padibe West Sub County, Labayango Primary
School and Labayango in Padibe East Sub County, Lapidiyenyi in Paloga Sub
County, Apwoyo, Oboko, Ywaya, Pany-Buk East, Pany Buk West and Moroto East in
Agoro Sub County.
The Technical Energy Advisor at GIZ-Uganda, Olga Namatovu,
says the solar grid project being piloted in numerous parts of the country is
part of the government’s efforts aimed at enhancing access to quality and
reliable energy to the rural people. According to Namatovu, for the case of Lamwo the mini solar
grids were installed in over ten different sites from where power is generated
and supplied to communities already connected to the grid.
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Namatovu says the main idea behind the projects is to
generally support investments and industrialization which are instrumental in
supporting growth and sustainable development of the economy.
The Lamwo district vice Chairperson Mathew Akera Okoya,
commended the government for the project saying it will go a long way in
improving the quality of life of the rural population that have been unable to
connect to the national electricity grid.
Okoya pledged commitment as leaders to implore the local
people to identify available investment opportunities that can be propelled by
as a result of electricity; and exploit them and on how to embrace and use it
productively.
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Moses Omach, a business operator in Potika Trading Center
says the solar power energy is not only reliable but also affordable since its
unit cost has been subsidized by the government as compared to the solar units
and petroleum products they have initially been using.
According to Omach, most businesses have been relying on
petroleum products and light solar systems to power their refrigerators,
television sets and music systems which are associated with high costs as
compared to the rates chargeable by the new solar power project.
Suzan Akech a resident of Lapidiyenyi in Paloga Sub County
expressed pleasure over the project saying following inductions on the clean
energy solution, beneficiaries have wholesomely embraced it since it’s
environmentally and health friendly.
Akech says most residents have been using kerosene lamps and
candles for lighting which have not only been a potential health hazard to
locals but have also been expensive as compared to use of the clean renewable
energy.
Stephen Labalpiny, the Officer in Charge of Agoro Health
Centre III anticipates that the mini-solar grids will play an important role in
advancing healthcare provision in rural communities in Lamwo.
“With the reliable solar available now, night shift
operations at the health facility will be achieved and safety of immunization
vaccines under constant refrigeration will as well be maintained”, says
Labalpiny.
The Ogili Sub County LCIII Chairperson Christopher Omal says
access to energy in the remote areas has remained unattainable for decades and
he anticipates that the project will mainly help farmers in adding value to
agricultural products through the small scale industries.
Omal also says through Winch Energy, the company operating
the grips and supplying solar energy has managed to provide employment
opportunities during the project installation, maintenance and other services.
