The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has under Section 29 of the Electricity Act 1999, Cap 145, received a Notice of Intended Application for a License from Absolute Energy Africa Limited forthe Generation and Distribution of electricity from Solar P.V off-grid systems to be located in Mukono District.

The off-grid systems are expected to be located on Koome and Bulago islands; 

Absolute Energy Africa Limited intends to undertake detailed feasibility studies and other activities leading to the development of the above-mentioned off-grid power projects whose proposed combined installed capacity is 0.28 MW. The generated power will be sold to the inhabitants of the said islands.

Interested persons are invited to inspect the Application/Notice from the addresses below:-

1. Electricity Regulatory Authority
   ERA House, Plot 15, Shimoni Road, Nakasero-Kampala
2. The Office of the RDC, Mukono District
3. The Office of the LCV Chairperson, Mukono District
4. The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Mukono District

Pursuant to Section 30 of the Electricity Act, 1999, Cap 145, the Electricity Regulatory Authority hereby invites directly affected parties and local authorities in the areas affected by the project to make comments and lodge objections (if any) in respect of the notice to the Authority, not later than 30 days from the date of publication of this Notice.

Directly affected parties and affected public agencies are invited to submit their comments in respect to the Application/Notice by hand delivery, email, fax or any other recorded delivery to the Secretary to the Authority on the above address.

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has under Section 29 of the Electricity Act 1999, Cap 145, received a Notice of Intended Application for a License from Absolute Energy Africa Limited forthe Generation and Distribution of electricity from a Solar P.V off-grid system to be located in Wakiso District.

The off-grid system is expected to be located on Bussi island;

Absolute Energy Africa Limited intends to undertake detailed feasibility studies and other activities leading to the development of the above-mentioned off-grid power project whose proposed installed capacity is 0.35 MW. The generated power will be sold to the inhabitants of the said island.

Interested persons are invited to inspect the application / Notice from the addresses below:-

1. Electricity Regulatory Authority
   ERA House, Plot 15, Shimoni Road, Nakasero-Kampala
2. The Office of the RDC, Wakiso District
3. The Office of the LCV Chairperson, Wakiso District
4.  The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Wakiso District

Pursuant to Section 30 of the Electricity Act 1999, Cap 145, the Electricity Regulatory Authority hereby invites directly affected parties and local authorities in the areas affected by the project to make comments and lodge objections (if any) in respect of the Notice to the Authority, not later than 30 days from the date of publication of this Notice.

Directly affected parties and affected public agencies are invited to submit their comments in respect to the Application/Notice by hand delivery, email, fax or any other recorded delivery to the Secretary to the Authority on the above address.

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has under Section 29 of the Electricity Act 1999, Cap 145, received a Notice of Intended Application for a License from Absolute Energy Africa Limited forthe Generation and Distribution of electricity from Solar P.V off-grid systems to be located in Namayingo District. The off-grid systems are expected to be located on the following islands;

Lolwe, Hama, Wayas, Syroo, Mwenene, Syamolala and Migingo.

Absolute Energy Africa Limited intends to undertake detailed feasibility studies and other activities leading to the development of the above-mentioned off-grid power projects whose proposed combined installed capacity is 1.19 MW. The generated power will be sold to the inhabitants of the said islands.

Interested persons are invited to inspect the Application/Notice from the addresses below:-

1. Electricity Regulatory Authority
   ERA House, Plot 15, Shimoni Road, Nakasero-Kampala
2. The Office of the RDC, Namayingo District
3. The Office of the LCV Chairperson, Namayingo District
4. The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Namayingo District

Pursuant to Section 30 of the Electricity Act 1999, Cap 145, the Electricity Regulatory Authority hereby invites directly affected parties and local authorities in the areas affected by the project to make comments and lodge objections (if any) in respect of the Notice to the Authority, not later than 30 days from the date of publication of this Notice.

Directly affected parties and affected public agencies are invited to submit ir comments in respect to the Application/Notice by hand delivery, email, fax or any other recorded delivery to the Secretary to the Authority on the above address.

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (‘the Authority’) has under Section 33 of the Electricity Act, 1999, Chapter 145 of the Laws of Uganda, (‘the Act’) and Regulation 7 of the Electricity (Application for Permit, Licence and Tariff Review ) Regulations, 2007 (‘the Regulations’) received an Application for a Generation and Sale License fromSenok Kabeywa Two (Pvt) Limited.

The License will enableSenok Kabeywa Two (Pvt) Limited construct, generate and sell 2.0 MW of electricity from a Hydro Power Plant proposed to be established across River Sirimitiyo in Kabeywa, Gamogo and Cheptelek Sub-Counties in Kapchorwa District. The specific locations of the different scheme structures are as follows;

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (‘the Authority’) has under Section 33 of the Electricity Act, 1999, Chapter 145 of the Laws of Uganda (‘the Act’) and Regulation 7 of the Electricity (Application for Permit, Licence and Tariff Review ) Regulations, 2007 (‘the Regulations’) received an Application for a Generation and Sale License fromSenok Kabeywa One (Pvt) Limited .

The License will enableSenok Kabeywa One (Pvt) Limitedconstruct, generate and sell 6.5 MW of electricity from a Hydro Power Plant proposed to be established across River Muyembe in Masira Sub-County, Bulambuli District and Gamogo and Cheptelek Sub-Counties in Kapchorwa District. The specific locations of the different scheme structures are as follows;

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (‘the Authority’) has under Section 33 of the Electricity Act, 1999, Chapter 145 of the Laws of Uganda, (‘the Act’) and Regulation 7 of the Electricity (Application for Permit, Licence and Tariff Review) Regulations, 2007 (‘the Regulations’) received an Application for a Generation and Sale License fromSenok Atari (Pvt) Limited.

The License will enableSenok Atari (Pvt) Limitedconstruct, generate and sell 3.25 MW of electricity from a Hydro Power Plant proposed to be established across River Atari in Kaptanya Sub-County, Kapchorwa District.

The specific locations of the different scheme structures are as follows;

Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) developed the Quality of Service and Supply Standards to protect the interests of electricity consumers in respect to quality and reliability of electricity supply.

Electricity Distribution Companies with the exception of Umeme Limited submitted Reports on their performance in respect to compliance with the Quality of Service Standards for the 2^nd and 3rd quarter of 2016.

ERA made physical verification of the data submitted by the DISCOs and the analysis of what was found on the ground is presented in this Report. Download Detailed Report Here.

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Hon. Eng. Irene Muloni revealed that Government is to enact a law that will provide a legal framework to ensure energy efficiency and energy conservation in Uganda.

In a speech delivered for her by the State Minister for Energy, Hon. Simon D’Ujang, at the opening of the 2017 Energy Week at KCCA Grounds in Lugogo, Hon. Muloni noted that the law is now at a stage where the public can review it and provide views to be incorporated before it is enacted.

The Minister added that Government saw it necessary to come up with a law to ensure energy efficiency, energy conservation  and quality of electrical equipment sold on the market in order to safeguard Ugandans who lose money on buying substandard equipment that consume a lot of energy. According to Hon. Muloni, the Uganda National Bureau of Standard will enforce the law.

In respect to high electricity tariffs, Hon. Muloni re-confirmed that Government is committed to ensuring low electricity tariffs of 5 US Cents to stimulate industrial growth and domestic consumption.

The Minister mentioned the objective of this year’s Energy Week, as creating awareness of the general public on efficient utilization of energy, calling upon the general public to participate and get information regarding energy efficiency as well as buy energy efficient appliances.

In his remarks, the State Minister for Energy Hon. Simon D’Ujang called upon exhibitors at the Energy Week exhibition to sell quality products to customers as it is the only way to grow credibility and the market for their products.

Different activities were organized as part of the Energy Week which include; the Energy Exhibition at KCCA Grounds in Lugogo, the Energy Conference, and Road shows. The Energy Week commenced on 11^th and it is to run until 16^th September 2017.

The 2017 which is also the 13^th Energy Week is running under the theme “Access to clean Energy; The bridge to Sustainable Development”.

Organizations that are participating in the Energy Week include; the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), Uganda Energy Credit Capitalization Company Limited,(UECCCL) Umeme Limited, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) and other private companies dealing in sale of energy and electrical equipment. ERA sponsored the activities at the Energy Week.

In pursuance of its powers under Section 45(3) of the Electricity Act, 1999 (the ‘Act’), the Electricity Regulatory Authority hereby gives Notice of its decision to Renew the Electricity Generation and Sale Licence Number 061A (the ‘Licence’) issued to JACOBSEN UGANDA POWER PLANT COMPANY LIMITED (the ‘Licensee’), in respect of the 50 MW Namanve Thermal PowerPlant in Mukono District.

The Licence is Renewed for a period of one year, effective 14^th September 2017 to 13^th September 2018.In pursuance of its powers under Section 45(3) of the Electricity Act, 1999 (the ‘Act’), the Electricity Regulatory Authority hereby gives Notice of its decision to Renew the Electricity Generation and Sale Licence Number 061A (the ‘Licence’) issued to JACOBSEN UGANDA POWER PLANT COMPANY LIMITED (the ‘Licensee’), in respect of the 50 MW Namanve Thermal PowerPlant in Mukono District.

The Licence is Renewed for a period of one year, effective 14^th September 2017 to 13^th September 2018.

The Chief Executive Officer, Electricity Regulatory Authority, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako advised officials of Zanzibar Utility Regulatory Authority(ZURA) on how to create a good regulatory environment, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the service delivery of Zanzibar utility sector.

Eng. Ziria advised ZURA officials during the launch of the ZURA 5 Year Strategic Plan in Zanzibar where she made a presentation on the evolution and growth of Uganda’s Electricity Supply Industry, spearheaded by Electricity Regulatory Authority.

In the presentation, Eng. Ziria highlighted the overview of Uganda’s Electricity Supply Industry, the enactment of the Electricity Act, 1999, that saw the disbandment of Uganda Electricity Board, and the creation of ERA, Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited, and the Electricity Dispute Tribunal, all aimed at creating efficiency in service delivery in Uganda’s Electricity Supply Industry.

Officials of ZURA appreciated the presentation and the advice by Eng. Ziria noting that they would want to benchmark ERA to further grasp how ERA managed to transform Uganda’s Electricity Supply Industry from inefficiency to efficiency. Eng. Ziria was in Zanzibar between 19^th and 22^nd September 2017. Download Full Presenation Here

On 21^st September 2017, the Standards, Utility and Wildlife Court (Electricity Court) convicted a one Tumuhimbise Christopher for carrying out electrical installation without a valid permit issued by Electricity Regulatory Authority contrary to S.88 (1) and (2) of the Electricity Act, 1999 and giving false information to a public officer contrary to s.115 of the Penal Code Act cap 120.

The conviction of Tumuhimbise Christopher preceded his apprehension by investigators from Criminal Investigations Directorate attached to ERA. On 18^th September 2017, Tumuhimbise Christopher was found carrying out electrical works on the premises of NDEGE Benon, located along Busabala Road, Makindye Division without a valid permit. When the investigators asked him whether he had a permit, he stated that he had one but when they checked on the ERA website they found out that he wasn’t among the persons issued with a valid permit for the year 2017. The false information given to the officers amounted to giving false information to a public officer contrary to s.115 of the Penal Code Act cap 120.

Tumuhimbise Christopher, was presented before Grade One Magistrate; Marion Mangeni of the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court on Buganda Road and pleaded guilty on both counts.

According to Magistrate Marion Mangeni, Tumuhimbise is to pay a fine of UGX.400,000 for count 1 and was cautioned on the second count.

ERA has always urged all wiremen carrying out electrical installations to apply for permits to allow them do their work legally and professionally to avoid electrical accidents caused by poor wiring done by unprofessional and uncertified wiremen. ERA organizes workshops and training for wiremen in different regions, the most recent one being workshops and trainings in Kalangala, Masaka and Mbarara Districts. The investigators are carrying out investigations to apprehend all uncertified wiremen. ERA urges all wiremen to have a valid electrical installation permits.

In pursuance of its powers under Section 44 (4) of the Electricity Act, 1999, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (the “Authority”), hereby gives Notice under Section 44 (5). The Authority has approved the Modification of the Electricity Generation and Sale Licence Number ERA/LIC/GEN/015/133 (the “Licence”) issued to Tororo Solar North Limited(the “Licensee”), for the proposed 10 MWp Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Tororo District. Download Full Notice

TAKE NOTICE that the Electricity Regulatory Authority shall, on the 13^th day of October, 2017 hold a Public Hearing in respect to the Application for a License by  Eco Clean Power Limited for the Generation and Sale of 7.1 MW of electricity from a Hydropower Plant to be constructed on River Sironko in Masaba Sub County in Sironko District.The Public Hearing shall be held at Buwodya Village Market place starting at 9:00 am.

Government agencies, electricity sector stakeholders and persons affected by the applications are hereby invited to attend the Public Hearing.

Stakeholders and affected persons wishing to make presentations or comments during the Public Hearing may register and submit their respective presentations or comments to the Secretary to the Authority at the address below not later than the 12^th day of October 2017.

Plot 15, Shimoni Road, Nakasero
P.O. Box 10332, Kampala
Tel: +256 312 260 166, Fax +256 414 341624
Email: info@era.or.ug,

TAKE NOTICE that the Electricity Regulatory Authority shall, on the 12^th day of October, 2017 hold a Public Hearing in respect to the Applications for Licenses bySenok Kabeywa One (Pvt) Limited for the Generation and Sale of 6.5 MW of electricity from a Hydropower Plant to be constructed on River Sirimitiyo, and Senok Kabeywa Two (Pvt) Limited for the Generation and Sale of 2.0 MW of electricity from a Hydropower Plant to be constructed on River Mbigi. Both projects are proposed to be located at the border of Bulambuli and Kapchorwa Districts. The Public Hearing shall be held at Gamogo Sub County headquarters starting at 10:00 am.

Government agencies, electricity sector stakeholders and persons affected by the applications are hereby invited to attend the Public Hearing.

Stakeholders and affected persons wishing to make presentations or comments during the Public Hearing may register and submit their respective presentations or comments to the Secretary to the Authority at the address below not later than the 11^th day of October 2017.

Plot 15, Shimoni Road, Nakasero
P.O. Box 10332, Kampala
Tel: +256 312 260 166, Fax +256 414 341624
Email: info@era.or.ug,

TAKE NOTICE that the Electricity Regulatory Authority shall, on the 13^th day of October, 2017 hold a Public Hearing in respect to the Application for a License by Senok Atari (Pvt) Limited for the Generation and Sale of 3.25 MW of electricity from a Hydropower Plant to be constructed on River Atari, Kaptanya Sub County in Kapchorwa District. The Public Hearing shall be held at St. Andrews Ngaimbirir Church of Uganda (near Ngaimbirir Primary school) in Kapchorwa District, starting at 2:00pm

Government agencies, electricity sector stakeholders and persons affected by the proposed project are hereby invited to attend the Public Hearing.

Stakeholders and affected persons wishing to make presentations or comments during the Public Hearing may register and submit their respective presentations or comments to the Secretary to the Authority at the address below not later than the 10^th day of October 2017.

Plot 15, Shimoni Road, Nakasero
P.O. Box 10332, Kampala
Tel: +256 312 260 166, Fax +256 414 341624
Email: info@era.or.ug,

TAKE NOTICE that the Electricity Regulatory Authority shall, on the 12^th day of October, 2017 hold a Public Hearing in respect to the Application for a License exemption by Pamoja Energy Limited for the Generation and Distribution of 50KW of electricity to be generated from a Biomass gas ification Power Plant. The generated electricity shall be distributed through a decentralized mini-grid system to the inhabitants of Bukurungo Trading Center, Mahyoro Sub County in Kamwenge District. The Public Hearing shall be held at Bukurungo Parish Hall starting at 10:00 am.

Government agencies, electricity sector stakeholders and persons affected by the proposed project are hereby invited to attend the Public Hearing.

Stakeholders and affected persons wishing to make presentations or comments during the Public Hearing may register and submit their respective presentations or comments to the Secretary to the Authority at the address below not later than the 11^th day of October 2017.

Plot 15, Shimoni Road, Nakasero
P.O. Box 10332, Kampala
Tel: +256 312 260 166, Fax +256 414 341624
Email: info@era.or.ug,

The Electricity Regulatory Authority on 7^th October 2017 announced a reduction in the Electricity End-User Tariffs for all consumer categories for the Fourth Quarter (October to December) of 2017.

According to the approved Tariff Schedule, Domestic consumers will pay UGX 685.6 from UGX 686.0, Commercial Consumers - UGX 619.1 from UGX 619.9, Medium Industrial Consumers - UGX 568.0 from UGX 568.8, Large Industrial Consumers – UGX 368.1 from UGX 369.0, Extra Large Industrial Consumers - UGX 364.6 from UGX 365.8 and Street Lighting -UGX 669.5 from UGX 670.0 per unit in the previous quarter.

Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority attributed the reduction in the Tariffs to favorable changes/movements in the Exchange Rate, International fuel prices, and the Energy Generation mix.

The new Tariffs are applicable to all electricity consumer bills raised by Umeme Limited based on meter readings and Yaka purchases taken in the period October to December 2017.  Downloaded Tariff Schedule here | Download Tariff Review Report.

Uganda on 16^th October 2017 welcomed its second Grid-Connected Solar Photo Voltaic Plant, the 10 MWp Tororo Solar North Plant in Tororo District. The commissioning ceremony was presided over by the Minister of State for Minerals, Honourable Peter Lokeris, and witnessed by several stakeholders in the Electricity Supply Industry.

Honourable Lokeris in his speech expressed gratitude to the Development Partners for choosing Uganda as their investment destination. He also applauded the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) for its role in creating a conducive regulatory environment in which the Electricity Supply Industry has flourished.

The Chief Executive Officer of ERA, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, in her remarks thanked “the Governments of the United Kingdom, Norway and the Federal Republic of Germany, the European Union and the World Bank for making the Global Energy Transfer for Feed-In Tariff (GET FiT) concept a huge success and making Uganda a Renewable Energy Investment model for the rest of Africa.”

The Head of the European Union Delegation to Uganda, His Excellency Ambassador Attilio Pacifici, noted that “the GET FiT Program had succeeded due to the presence of a strong regulatory framework in Uganda.” He further noted that while financing of Renewable Energy Projects remained complex world-over, Uganda’s effort had demonstrated that it was a possible venture. The Ambassador pointed out that the country was about to reach sufficient levels of power generation, therefore, growth in demand for electricity was key.

Mr. Matteo Brambilla, the Managing Director of Building Energy South Africa (the Project Developer for the Tororo Solar North Plant) thanked the people of Tororo District for working with the company during the development of the Project. He noted that the Project had created permanent jobs for the residents, and would enable communities to access electricity at a lower cost.

About the Tororo Solar North Plant

The 10 MWp Tororo Solar North Plant is the second Grid-Connected Solar Photo Voltaic Plant to be commissioned in Uganda, following the commissioning of the Access Uganda Solar Limited Plant that was commissioned in December 2016, in Soroti District.

The Tororo Solar North Plant consists of 32,240 Photo Voltaic panels distributed over a 14 hectare site. The facility is designed to generate around 16 GWh of energy annually, catering for the energy needs of more than 35,838 people. Located in Asignet A Village, the Plant was developed at a cost of US$ 19.6 Million; and consumers will pay US Cents 11 per kilowatt hour of the electricity generated by the Tororo Solar North Plant.

The Plant was developed under the GET FiT Program, a dedicated support scheme for Renewable Energy Projects managed by the Germany Development Bank KfW in partnership with the Electricity Regulatory Authority; and funded by the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, the Governments of Norway, Germany, and the United Kingdom. 

In April 2016, the Electricity Regulatory Authority with support from the GETFIT program, contracted MS. Intec GOPA –international Energy Consultants to develop the standardized Interconnection Code and Wheeling Agreement templates, including the applicable methodology for determination of wheeling charges.

Following the finalization of consultations with stakeholders in Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) with respect to the draft Wheeling Agreements and Interconnection Code, the Authority at its 284^th meeting held on 8^th September 2017, approved and adopted the documents for execution by all licensees in the ESI that are involved in energy wheeling and network interconnection.

Pursuant to the foregoing, ERA has issued Directive No. 004/2017 – ‘Interconnection Code and Standard Wheeling Agreements’requiring all licences to adopt and implement the following approved Wheeling Agreements and Interconnection Code.

• Wheeling Agreement UETCL from IPP via one Disco
• Wheeling Agreement UETCL from IPP via two Discos
• Wheeling Agreement UETCL to Embedded Disco