The Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa has cautioned Ugandans against deforestation that has greatly affected the environment resulting into climate change hazards across the country.
The minister made remarks while signing the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), Cylinders, Accessories Supply and Purchase agreement by Global gasses group aimed at introducing clean energy through manufacturing gas and cylinders for domestic use.
During the signing of the agreement with the Global gasses group, the minister revealed that the government is committed to reducing the share of biomass and increase clean energy used for cooking from 15% from the financial year 2018/19 to 50% by 2024/25 under the Sustainable Energy Development Programme.
Nankabirwa also highlighted over 500,000 Liquified Petroleum Gasses will be locally produced by the global gasses group company targeting low-income households in Uganda to embrace clean cooking with the aim of conserving the environment.
“Even using electricity is cheaper than using charcoal but people are stuck to using charcoal, what do we do to ?....that’s why we see many trucks are entering cities every day. I’m happy that also President Museveni has come strong against cutting down through his executive orders” the Minister stated.
“We have a plan for Islands, we need a clear strategy and systems on how we can take clean energy to over 83 habitable islands of Buvuma, Kalangala among others. We have an obligation to help fishing communities through social economic development programs”
The Gas and Cylinders will be produced in capacities of 3kg, 6kg, and 12kg.
However, the Permanente secretary Ministry of Energy, Irene Bateebe also has stressed that the country still faces challenges of increasing urbanization, overgrazing, soil degradation among others that need to embrace clean energy.
“While Uganda has a high potential for hydro, geothermal, gas, solar, wind, biogas and thermal energy, power tariffs are high leading to high deforestation and environment degradation due to the demand for fire wood and charcoal. Geothermal, solar and wind energy options are in their infancy and yet electricity is not affordable due to high tariffs and even then many households especially in rural areas are unconnected to the national grid.”
Deepak Mehta, Chief Executive Officer and founder Global Gasses Group said group will invest, construct, own and operate an LPG cylinder manufacturing plant, cylinder filling stations and distribution centers in different locations in the country.
The Government also will facilitate the use of locally produced gas when Uganda starts producing LPG from its oil fields and refinery.