INTRODUCING ELECTRICITY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY PLATFORMS IN RURAL UGANDA: A CASE STUDY ON LAKE BUNYONYI
Authors:
Matt Vanderwerken, Jerry Amanya, Evan Fuellenbach, Keni Herman, Thomas Karrel, Will Tesconi, James M. Van Leeuwen.
Abstract:
While the limited access to modern energy used for electrification and cooking can be addressed by kerosene and non-renewable, rampant electrification measures considered viable solutions for developing communities are harmful to the environment and will further exacerbate current environmental and health issues. This study addresses the challenges of limits to energy in remote areas of developing countries. Our research team spent six weeks collecting data in areas surrounding Lake Bunyonyi in Southwestern Uganda, shadowing a microgrid business in Kigali, Rwanda, and meeting with local and national government representatives and agencies. Data were collected through focus groups, interviews, and surveys to capture energy consumption habits from a broad range of small-scale economics. We conducted 34 in-depth interviews and distributed 35 surveys. The research assessed the ability and willingness of rural communities to pay for electrical access to their homes and shops; this reflected that, on average, local community members were willing to contribute 20 per cent ($5 USD on average) of their monthly income for access to electricity. We conclude that while it may be difficult to overcome the hurdles of lighting a rural population, the demand and usage are high enough to enable a premium return on investment (ROI).