Experts urge targeted skilling for vocational institutes to increase renewable energy access

Targeted skilling is being recommended to vocational training institutes as part of the on-going endeavour to increase access to renewable energy for Uganda's large population.

According to Loy Kyozaire, the  CEO of Sendea Academy, the calibre of specialists working on installations for residential and commercial applications including irrigation and milling should be raised to match the estimated 32% of access to solar-related services.

“We are continuing with this drive of rising the number of young people with skills in solar installation for both domestic and productive usage. Equiping them with toolkits to enable them work better is part of our renewed strategy,” Kyozaire observed.

She was speaking as a group of solar installation technicians graduated, joining almost 1,200 others who had previously received training from Sendea Academy.

Engineer Kyozaire, says that the objective of the partnership with Stiftung Solar Energies and other vocational colleges spread across Uganda such as Kaliro Technical Institute; is to improve quality along the entire renewable energy value chain.

More than 1,230 solar installation technicians have been trained this year by the different technical colleges as part of the Sendea skilling initiative.

Among the components covered in the skilling are basic system sizing, maintenance and troubleshooting, full house installation and solar for productive use such as water pumping.

“We are lucky to be part of this skilling programme. It has enabled us to obtain knowledge on meeting the demand by people here in Kaliro for purpose of installation of new solar systems,” Ziraba Abdul, a trainee

noted.

Given the numerous curriculum revisions being carried out in the vocational training component, some academics argue that it is imperative to support such clearly defined that directly addresses

community issues.

“Access to grid energy here in Kaliro district remains very limited. This training in installation of solar systems is very important. It is bridging the gap of limited access by the community. We intend to train more students,” stressed Francis Keeya, the Principal of Kaliro Technical Institute.

“These toolboxes provided by Sendea are vital. Our trace students project that earlier trainees have since accessed the field of direct work in solar installation," he pointed out.

Relatedly, according to available data, Uganda's forest cover has decreased by half over the past 20 years, to a meagre 12%, as a result of severe deforestation.

In high-impact areas like Busoga, a group of clean energy supporters is attempting once again to lessen the damaging use of biomass, such as wood, and the harmful use of fossil fuels.

The objective, according to project leader Dr. Charles Mbalyohere, speaking at the Busoga Olwekobaano and Energy Expo 2024 in Kaliro district, is to make sure that local residents have increased access to better energy cooking options.

Along with improved clean cooking technologies, a wide range of researchers and environmental activists are also suggesting that widespread knowledge sharing at the grassroots level might speed up community adaption and avert

adverse environmental repercussions.

“Our communities need to be assisted into moving away from use environmentally unfriendly sources of energy such as firewood and kerosene to clean renewable energy solutions. This is our clarion call that modern systems, are increasingly getting accessible and affordable and safe for our health,” Dr. Mbalyohere, emphasised.

Including other parts of the nation, the Busoga sub region has been particularly affected by environmental effects; because of extensive human activities including deforestation and large-scale agricultural operations like sugar producing.

The environment has been severely impacted by human activities. By moving away from destructive lines that affect the environment to clean options such as biomass, gas and solar for productive use, we shall be making a positive

contribution,” encouraged Dr. Nicholas Mukisa, the Coordinator, National Renewable Energy Platform.

Women in Busoga sub region are also being to take the initiative appreciating that availability and usage of clean cooking utensils or systems due to increased safety, effectiveness and health benefits linked to their use.

“The new cooking technologies to our communities are guarantee better health and safety. We advise that the women in particular should embrace it,” Florence Mutyabule, said Senior Presidential Advisor (SPA) in charge of poverty Alleviation in Busoga

The World Bank anticipates that Uganda would reduce environmental impacts through actions that include access to contemporary technologies as part of a $110 million dollar investment for renewable energy solutions; launched this

year.