KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
AND MANAGEMENT

LECTURER: Mrs. PAMELA LAWINO OKORI

SEM: ONE, YEAR: THREE

Date: 16th. OCTOBER. 2018

SUBMITED BY GROUP FOUR

NAME REG. No SIGNATURE

AKOT SCOVIA 16/U/4217/BMD/PD
ANSINGUZA FOSCA 16/U/4223/BMD/PD
AYIORWOTH SANDRA 16/U/4235/BMD/PD
KABYEMERA FRANCO 16/U/4250/BMD/PD
MASABA SUMAYAH 16/U/4262/BMD/PD
OCHEN GEOFREY 16/U/4285/BMD/PD
OMOLO AUSTINE 16/U/4292/BMD/PD
TURYAMUREBA WILBROAD 16/U/4304/BMD/PD
Questions:
1. UGANDA USES HEP ENERGY AS IT’S SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY, GIVE THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS
OF A HEP POWER PLANTS AND DESCRIBINGHOW HEP IS GENERATED

2. HYDROPOWER ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, AS A TECHNICAL EXPERT WHAT

WOULD BE YOUR CONCERN

3. GIVE THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTONAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE ENERGY SECTO IN UGANDA

4. CONSERVATION OF ENERGY IS AN IMPORTANT MEASURE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL

PRESERVATION. IN YOUR OPINION WHY IS THERE NEED TO CONSERVE THE ENVIRONMENT
THROUGH SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION OF ENERGY

5. IN THE RECENT YEARS UGANDA HAS STABILIZED IN TERMS OF ENERGY SECURITY, UNLIKE THE
1990’S WHEN LOAD SHEDDING WAS ALMOST THE NORM. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT AND HOW? DO
YOU THINK GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA MANAGED TO MINIMIZE THE THEN NATIONAL ENERGY
CRISES AND REDUCED ON LOAD SHEDDING?

6. GOAL 7 ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) STATES THAT “ENSURE ACCESS TO

AFFORDABLE RELIABLE, SUSTAINABLE AND MODERN ENERGY FOR ALL” AS ENVIRONMENTAL
EXPERT, HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS
1. UGANDA USES HEP ENERGY AS ITS SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY, GIVE THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS
OF A HEP POWER PLANTS AND DESCRIBE HOW HEP IS GENERATED

Various components of HEP plant:

Hydroelectric power plant requires various components for generating electrical power. Some of the major
components in hydroelectric power plants are: Reservoirs, Dam, Trash Rack, Forebay, Surge Tank, Penstock,
Spillway, Prime Mover/hydro turbines, Generator and Draft Tube. The functions of all major components are
discussed.

Reservoir:

The function or purpose of reservoir is to store the water during rainy season and supply the same during dry season.
This is in simple, water storage area.

Dam:

The function of dam is to increase the height of the water level (increase in the potential energy) behind it which
ultimately increases the reservoir capacity. The dam also helps in increasing the working head of the power plant. Dams
are generally built to provide necessary head to the power plant.

Trash Rack:

The water intake from the dam or from the forebay are provided with trash rack. The main function of trash rack is to
prevent the entry of any debris which may damage the wicket gates and turbine runners or choke-up the nozzles of
impulse turbine. During winter season when water forms ice, to prevent the ice from clinging to the trash racks, they
are often heated electrically. Sometimes air bubbling system is provided in the vicinity of the trash racks which brings
warmer water to the surface of the trash racks.

Forebay:

The function of forebay is to act as regulating reservoir temporarily storing water when the load on the plant is reduced
and to provide water for initial increment of an increasing load while water in the canal is being accelerated. In many
cases, the canal itself is large enough to absorb the flow variations. In short, forebay is naturally provided for storage of
water to absorb any flow variations if exist. This can be considered as naturally provided surge tank as it does the
function of the surge tank. The forebay is always provided with some type of outlet structure to direct water to penstock
depending upon the local conditions.

Surge Tank:

The main function of surge tank is to reduce the water hammering effect. When there is a sudden increase of pressure
in the penstock which can be due sudden decrease in the load demand on the generator. When there is sudden decrease
in the load, the turbine gates admitting water to the turbine closes suddenly owing to the action of the governor. This
sudden rise in the pressure in the penstock will cause the positive water hammering effect. This may lead to burst of the
penstock because of high pressures.
When there is sudden increase in the load, governor valves opens and accepts more water to the turbine. This results in
creation of vacuum in the penstock resulting into the negative water hammering effect. Therefore the penstock should
have to withstand both positive water hammering effect created due to close of governor valve and negative water
hammering effect due to opening of governor valve. In order to protect the penstock from these water hammering
effects, surge tank is used in hydroelectric power station.
A surge tank is introduced in the system between dam and the power house nearest. Surge tank is a tank provided to
absorb any water surges caused in the penstock due to sudden loading and unloading of the generator. When the velocity
of the water in the penstock decreases due to closing of turbine valves, the water level in the surge tank increases and
fluctuating up and down till its motion is damped out by the friction. Similarly when the water accelerates in the
penstock, water is provided by the surge tank for acceleration. Surge tank water level falls down and fluctuates up and
down absorbing the surges.

Penstock:

Penstock is a pipe between the surge tank and the prime-mover. The structural design of the penstock is same as for any
other pipe expect it has to bear high pressure on the inside surface during sudden decease in the load and increase in the
load. Penstocks are made of steel through reinforced concrete. Penstocks are usually equipped with the head gates at
the inlet which can be closed during the repair of the penstocks, a sufficient water head should be provided above the
penstock entrance in the fore bay or surge tank to avoid the formation of vortices which may carry air in to the penstock
and resulting in lower turbine blade efficiency.

Spillway:

The function of spillway is to provide safety of the dam. Spillway should have the capacity to discharge major floods
without damage to the dam and at the same time keeps the reservoir levels below some predetermined maximum level.

Power House:

A power house consists of two main parts, a sub-structure to support the hydraulic and electrical equipment and a
superstructure to house and protect this equipment.
The superstructure of most power plants is the buildings that house all the operating equipment. The generating unit
and the exciter is located in the ground floor. The turbines which rotate on vertical axis are placed below the floor level
while those rotating on a horizontal axis are placed on the ground floor alongside of the generator.

Prime movers or Hydro Turbines:

The main function of prime movers or hydro turbines is to convert the kinetic energy of the water in to the mechanical
energy to produce the electric power. The prime movers which are in common use are Pelton wheel, Francis turbine
and Kaplan turbines.
Draft tube:

The draft tube is a part of the reaction turbine. The draft tube is a diverging discharge passage connecting the running
with tailrace. It is shaped to decelerate the flow with a minimum loss so that the remaining kinetic energy of the water
coming out of the runner is efficiently regained by converting into suction head, thereby increasing the total pressure
difference on the runner. This regain of kinetic energy of the water coming out from the reaction turbine is the primary
function of the draft tube. The regain of static suction head in case where the runner is located above the tail water level
is the secondary purpose of the draft tube.

How hydroelectric power is produced:

The water flowing from the Penstock is allowed to enter the power generation unit (turbines and generator). Turbines
have blades and shafts, the shafts are inside the generator. The moment water falls on the turbine blades, the kinetic
and potential energy of water is converted into the rotational motion of the blades. As the blades rotate the shaft of the
turbine also rotates and in most hydroelectric power plants there are more than one power generation units comprising
of the turbine and generator
At the generator is where the actual electricity is produced. When the shaft of water turbine rotates in the generator,
they produce alternating current in the coils of the generator and also induced electromagnetic field which is
converted into electricity.

The electricity produced from the generator is called alternating current that is not of sufficient voltage, cannot be
used. The transformer then converts the produced alternating current into high voltage current from within the
generator. The transformer has two coils, supply coil and outlet coil. Current is supplied to the supply coil, from
where it passes to the outlet coil, the number of turns in the outlet coil determines the voltage of output electricity
from the transformer. If the number in the outlet coils are double of supply coil, the voltage produced is also doubled.
The power supply from the transformer is then connected to the national grid, from where the power is distributed for
domestic and industrial use

Illustration of the step by step production of hydroelectricity

2] HYDROPOWER ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, AS A TECHNICAL EXPERT
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CONCERN.

Hydropower generators produce clean electricity, but hydropower does affect the environment
Here, we will mainly focus among the major concerns related to hydro power energy and environment by analyzing
the aspects. Basically, hydropower issue is an environmental issue in renewable energy sector. Certain problems such
as silting and land use are common to many of the technologies including hydropower technology

For example, the large amount of land required for utility scale solar power plants and mega dams is a cause of
concern. But the general belief is the thermal power projects are more polluting and damaging the environment than
the hydroelectric projects. The main reason behind this impression is that there are visible symptoms like smoke
emanating from chimneys, disposal of fly ash etc. The reality however, is that current hydro power technology, while
essentially emission-free, has many undesirable environmental effects. The reservoirs created by mega dams
frequently inundate large areas of forests, farmland, wildlife habitats, scenic areas, and even towns. In addition, the
dams can cause radical changes in river ecosystems both upstream and downstream.

1. Change of the river ecosystem

The problem of impoundment is that dams changes the chemical, physical and biological processes of river
ecosystems, providing adverse effects on the coastal and marine environment. They change the flowing systems by
blocking the flow of nutrients, preventing fish and wildlife migration, reducing river levels, etc.

2. Reservoirs increase eutrophication

Worldwide, a common problem with reservoirs is that they trap nutrients – laden sediments behinds the dams, which
reduces reservoirs volume, resulting to increased rate of plants and algal growth, decomposition of bacteria, releasing
of phosphorus that nourishes further algal growth.

3. Hydropower plants lower dissolved oxygen of the river

Hydropower plants can cause low dissolved oxygen levels in water, Dams have many other impacts on certain other
issues too, such as, changing the pattern of flow of water, impact on water temperature dropping the surface water of
dams than the rest of ecosystem. When this under-aerated water is released downstream, it decreases the oxygen
content of the rest of the river, threatening aquatic life below the dam.

4. Water related diseases

Large hydropower plants can increase the extent of water related diseases. Large dams offer favorable living
conditions to pathogens. Among water related diseases, one could include, typhus, cholera, and several tapeworm and
round worm diseases, which are the result of these. Several serious diseases have intermediate hosts linked to
water. In addition, research reveals that mosquito species carrying malaria thrive due to vegetation in dams. If the
reservoir is employed both for irrigation and as the industrial and drinking water supply, there will be a risk of
infection spread by pathogens living in the water, such infections may spread over large areas.

5. Methane production

Another severe consequence of hydroelectric plants is the byproduct of methane from decomposing trees and other
plant life in an anaerobic environment. Methane is created when reservoirs are built without prior deforestation and
removal of various other plant life, thus trapping plant material underwater which in turn decomposes without oxygen.
Methane, like carbon dioxide, is a very potent greenhouse gas that can effectively change our climate.

6. Loss of land

Around 400000km2 of land worldwide has been submerged due to the construction of dams. Surrounding valleys with
existing towns, farmlands, pastures and scenic locations can be permanently flooded.

7. Disturbance of ecosystems

The construction activity of the dam itself disturbs the environment to a great scale. Human beings living in these
areas also get displaced. The construction of dam, the power generation unit and the transformers and their connection
to the national grid acquires large areas of the forest. When the course of water is changed the surrounding areas may
get flooded disturbing natural flora and fauna. The larger the land acquired for the dam, more is the disturbance to the
natural ecosystem in the surrounding forest areas. Peak power operations can change the water level up to thirty to
forty feet in the day and can kill the animals staying at the shorelines.

8. Disrupts the aquatic ecosystems

The dams developed across the rivers can disturb the aquatic life and lead to their large scale destruction. There are
chances that the fish and other water animals may enter the penstock and ultimately the power generation turbines
where they may get crushed. The dams can also disturb the mating seasons and areas of the aquatic animals. In such
cases the dams create hindrances on their paths. Such animals can also get trapped in the turbines and loose lives on
large scale. Blocking river passages will prevent the arrival of migrating fish like salmon and trout resulting to their
extinction.

9. Disrupts flora and fauna

The plant and animal life around the rivers thrives due to continuous fresh flowing water in the river, when dams are
constructed lots of areas have to be cleared that disrupts the plant and animal life. In many cases trees have been cut
that destroys not only the plant life but also the wild life habitats have been destroyed. Even changing the course of
flow of water in the river due to construction of dam disrupts the plants and animal life.

10. Large scale human displacement

For the construction of the dams even human beings living in the areas surrounding the river have to be
displaced/shifted, this brings about change in lifestyle and customs, even causing emotional scaring. About 40 and 80
million people have been displaced physically by dams worldwide. Human beings tend to have strong attachments to
the lands occupied by them and their ancestors since hundreds of years. People are convinced or forced to leave the
land which not only is their shelter but also the source of income, in many instances, when people are snatched away
of their lands, they are not given proper remuneration and the other land for resettlement.

11. Very high capital cost or investment

A hydropower plant is no small project. In fact, the average cost of building a small one (not an average or a big one)
is about $10 million. In case we’re talking about a large scale power plant, it can cost about $450 million dollars.

Even though these numbers may seem a bit exaggerated, the truth is that they’re not. Just consider the size of the
water reservoir that needs to be constructed. And this is all that you see from the outside. Inside, there has to be a lot
of different tunnels in the bedrock on both sides of the dam. In most cases, dams are being constructed in some parts
of the rivers that don’t have the necessary roads to allow the materials to get there. So, new roads and, sometimes,
even new bridges, need to be constructed from scratch as well. Only the water reservoir can cost between $10 to $200
million, varying from case to case.

Then, there is the need to have the infrastructure that allows the generated power to be transmitted to the grid.
Everything adds up to the costs that can be astronomical.

12. Vulnerability to accidents

The safety of the dams is very crucial as it may affect lives of millions of people. The construction materials of the
dam should be of high quality because any breakage in the dam can cause large scale destruction of human, plants and
animal lives. The failure of a dam in china resulted in the deaths of more than 171,000 people and millions of people
were rendered homeless.

13. Requires huge water quantities

The hydroelectric power plants cannot be constructed at any locations. They can be constructed only in places where
abundant quantity of water is available at sufficient height and throughout the year. A number of other safety
parameters also have to be considered. Construction of the dams at inappropriate location can cause human
causalities. An example of inappropriate locations is the Vajont dam in Italy, where almost 2000 people died, in the
year 1963.

14. Global warming/ climate change

Methane is produced at the bottom of the reservoirs, where oxygen is low and bacteria decompose organic material,
like trees and grasses, which is already present or carried by watercourse. Part of the methane becomes CO2; the rest
is carried to the surface as bubbles.

15. Reduced agricultural productivity downstream

Farmers downstream who used to wait for the flooding of the fields to plant their seeds are affected

16. Water quality issues

Water stagnation disrupts the flow of rivers thus changing water characteristics negatively

Sedimentation: the water in dams carry lots of mud and sediments, hence lots of sediments are accumulated at the bed
of the dam and over the long period of time there can be excessive quantity of mud in the dam. To remove these
sediments conduits are placed at the bottom of the dam so as to remove all the sediments

Sea water intrusion: at low lying areas salt water intrusion into the delta means that the saline water cannot be used for
irrigation or other domestic use

Thermal pollution: dams serve as the heat sink and the water is hotter than the normal river water. This warm water
when released into the river downstream can affect animal life

3. GIVE THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTONAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE ENERGY SECTO IN UGANDA

Legal framework for the energy sector:

The constitution of the republic of Uganda

The need for an appropriate energy policy is also recognized by the constitution of the republic of Uganda which
states, “The state shall promote and implement energy policies that will ensure that people’s basic needs and those of
the environmental preservation are me.” The energy policy should, therefore support government’s poverty
eradication action plan [PEAP], which sets the goals of reducing the incidence of poverty in Uganda. To this extent,
the PEAP has already recognized energy as having a direct impact on poverty alleviation. Therefore, the need for a
national energy policy exists not only as a constitutional requirement but also for the facilitation of the government’s
major programmers like PEAP, plan for modernization of agriculture [PMA], decentralization and liberalized
economic environment.

Energy Policy for Uganda, September 2002

This policy spells out government’s commitment to the development and use of renewable energy resources for both
small- and large-scale applications. An overall policy goal is to increase the use of modern renewable energy, from
the current 4 per cent to 61 per cent of the total energy consumption by the year 2017. Some key objectives of this
policy are to:

• publish a standardized Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with feed-in-tariffs determined periodically

• create a renewable energy department

• promote, in collaboration with the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal
Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the growing of energy crops

• develop appropriate legislation and provide financial incentives for the production of biofuels.

Electricity Act, 1999

This act sets the legal basis for the industry’s restructuring, including the establishment of the Electricity Regulatory
Authority (ERA). The act is currently in a process of revision, partly to establish a standardized feed-in-tariff based on
the principle of avoided cost pricing, in accordance with the provision of the Electricity Act, 1999. The tariff should
be able to translate into cash revenue that will not require the investor to resort to a capital

Renewable Energy Policy for Uganda, March 2007

This is a very comprehensive policy document, setting out government’s policy vision, goals, principles and
objectives for promoting sustainable utilization of renewable energy in Uganda as a contribution to the poverty
eradication. The document includes much detailed information on the potential for renewable energy development. It
also includes a standardized Power Purchase Agreement and feed-in tariffs for electricity generators below 20MW.
The overall policy goal is “To increase the use of modern renewable energy, from the current 4% to 61% of the total
energy consumption by the year 2017”

National energy policy, 2002

The policy goal in the energy sector is to meet the energy needs of the Ugandan population for social and economic
development in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Mining Act, 2003

This act governs the allocation, and sharing, of revenue benefits from the energy sector. For example: according to the
Mining Act, 80 per cent of oil revenue goes to the central government, 17 per cent goes to local governments and 3
per cent goes to landlords. It defines the respective roles played by central and local government as well as by
traditional institutions.

The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (Conduct of Exploration Operations) Regulations of 1993

This also regulates the upstream activities in the petroleum sub-sector. The petroleum sub sectors include exploration,
development and production of oil and gas

The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 1985

This regulates the upstream activities in the petroleum sub-sector.

Petroleum Act of 1964

This act governs the downstream industry activities in the petroleum sub-sector. The downstream industry ensure
adequate, reliable and affordable supply of quality petroleum products for all sectors of the economy at internationally
competitive and fair prices within appropriate health, safety and environmental standards

Biofuels Programme, 2011

This programme will support investments in production and use of ethanol, biodiesel, methanol and biogas.
Specifically, all dealers in petroleum products will be obliged to blend fossil fuels with biofuels up to 20 per cent, as
appropriate

Strategic Plan for the Uganda Power Sector, 1997

This is the strategic plan for the development of the power sector. Its main mandate is to stimulate development of the
power sector by increasing generation, accessibility, tariff reduction and sustainability of the power sector.

Geothermal Development Plan, 2003-2008

This plan aimed at governing geothermal projects in Uganda.

Rural and Urban Poor Electricity Access Programme, 2001

This programme will enhance the ongoing procedures for community schemes, where the cost of connection to the
community is subsidized. It will also support the development of independent grids supplied by micro hydropower
and biomass gasifiers to be managed by communities in remote settlements. The programme will priorities supporting
electrification for productive uses and key social services.

Institutional framework for the energy sector:

This section describes all relevant ministries, other government agencies, local authorities and regulatory authorities
required for issuing licenses, permits and approvals for projects generating and distributing electricity from energy
sources in Uganda. In order to achieve government objectives in the energy sector, a number of institutions, each with
their own legal mandate, are involved.

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD)

The Ministry is responsible for energy policy formulation, and oversees the operations of the electric power sub-
sector. The Energy Resources Department has three divisions: Electric Power, New and Renewable Sources of
Energy, and Energy Efficiency. In consequence of the Renewable Energy Policy of March 2007, a new Renewable
Energy Department was created. The mandate of MEMD is to establish, promote the development, strategically
manage and safeguard the rational and sustainable exploitation and utilization of energy and mineral resources for
social and economic development.

Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA)

The Electricity Regulatory authority (ERA) is a body corporate established in April 2000 by virtue of the Electricity
Act, 1999 (Cap. 145), as an independent sector regulator. The mission of the authority is “to promote quality and
sustainable electricity at equitable prices.” Its main function is to regulate the generation, transmission, distribution,
sale, export and import of electricity. ERA reviews and approves electricity tariffs. ERA has an elaborated Strategic
Plan for 2003–2013.

Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL)

UETCL was established in 2001, in the process of unbundling the previous Uganda Electricity Board. UETCL is
publicly owned, but operates as an independent and profit-making business unit. The key roles are:

• Owner, investor and operator of transmission power lines above 3kV in the country system operator

• Single buyer for grid-connected generation, which is sold on to distributors

• Exporter to neighboring countries

• Power-expansion planner.

Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL)

UEDCL owns the distribution infrastructure operating at 33kV and below. It is responsible for the retail of electricity
including metering and billing of consumers. UEDCL buys bulk power from UETCL in accordance with terms set in
a Power Purchase Agreement. UEDCL has granted a concession (2005–2024) to Umeme (a venture by Eskom and
Globeleq) to manage and operate the national distribution grid.

Uganda electricity transmission company Ltd (UETCL)

The UETCL is responsible for power transmission at 132kV and above including exports to Kenya and Tanzania, and
is to buy most of the power from power generators. It is to remain a government utility body for some time.

Rural Electrification Board (REB)

This was established in 1998 to manage the Rural Electrification Fund (REF). The secretariat of the REB is the Rural
Electrification Agency (REA). The REB, as the governing body of REA, provides subsides to support rural
electrification projects.

Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

This was established in 2003 to be in charge of managing rural electrification projects. Its key role is to increase the
electricity grid coverage from the present 3 per cent to 10 per cent – originally by 2010. This mandate has been
renewed for the next seven years.

Petroleum authority of Uganda (PAU)

This is responsible for monitoring and regulating petroleum operations and also proposing and implementing
regulations. It monitors the expenditure on licenses and managing of petroleum data.

Uganda national oil company (NATOIL)

This company manages business aspects of state participation and developing in depth expertise in the oil industry. It
optimizes value to its stakeholders, administers contracts with co-ventures and participates in contractor/operator
meetings.

Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd (UEGCL)

This is a generation company owning the two generating power stations at Jinja – Nalubale and Kiira power stations.
In November 2002, the UEGCL was privatized through a long-term concession of 20 years with ESKOM Enterprises
(U) Ltd.

Uganda Revenues Authority (URA)

URA is responsible for preferential tax treatment, tax exemptions, tax holidays, accelerated depreciation and so on.
Uganda’s tax system is divided into central and local government tax structures. The principal taxes levied and
administered by the central government (URA) are Income Tax both on individuals and companies, Value Added
Tax, Import Duty and Excise Duty. Taxes levied by local government include Graduated Tax, Ground Rates, and
Trading and Operational Licenses. The Authority is responsible for overseeing taxation related to the energy sector,
as well as private investment in the energy sector.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)

This is an autonomous body established by the National Environment Statute, 1995, to be in charge of managing
natural and environmental resources, including the conducting of Environmental Impact Assessments. NEMA awards
certificates of environmental clearance, following review and approval of Environmental Audits (EAs),
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Reports and Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs).

Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)

This is a regulatory body responsible for enhancing development through application of standards in trade, industry
and consumer protection. It was established by Act of Parliament of June 1993. UNBS is mandated to develop and
promote standardization, quality assurance, laboratory testing and metrology. In this context, UNBS is responsible for
development and monitoring standards for renewable-energy technologies, in addition to biofuels technology.

Bank of Uganda (BoU)

The Bank’s Refinance Facility and the abovementioned CSF are the two existing financial instruments to hedge
private investors’ long-term borrowing from local financial institutions. The detailed operational modalities of these
instruments can be accessed from the various legal documents that established them. The Bank is responsible for
financing government energy-development projects.

Electricity Disputes Tribunal (EDT)

Part XIII of the Electricity Act, 1999, provides for the Electricity Disputes Tribunal. This is a body concerned with the
arbitration of cases in the electricity sector. Any stakeholder, who may not be satisfied with ERA’s decisions, can
appeal to the tribunal.
 4. CONSERVATION OF ENERGY IS AN IMPORTANT MEASURE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL
PRESERVATION. IN YOUR OPINION WHY IS THERE NEED TO CONSERVE THE ENVIRONMENT
THROUGH SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION OF ENERGY

1. To mitigate climate change: Sustainable use of energy will limit the rate at which atmosphere is being polluted for
example a citizen who has a car and chooses to use public means of transport or bicycle to workplace will have
reduced the impact of fuel emission to the environment. Activities such as switching off lights when not in use,
warming up light food sauce in an oven which has just been switched off because oven takes 30minutes to cool down,
all these activities cut down the energy use as well as saving our atmosphere.

2. Energy security: As the country works on the ways by which they can improve on the energy security issues, other
substitute sources of energy dominate the debate and most of the issues raised rely on promoting green energy for
example solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric power, among others. Other actions will be aimed at limiting the
use of energy and sensitization of the citizens on sustainable energy use. This places energy security on a better
position of conserving environment.

3. Sustainability: Moving towards energy sustainability will require changes not only in the way energy is supplied,
but in the way it is used. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are sometimes said to be the "twin pillars" of
sustainable energy policy. Efficiency slows down energy demand growth so that rising clean energy supplies can
make deep cuts in fossil fuel use. If energy use grows too fast, renewable energy development will chase a receding
target. Renewable energy technologies are essential contributors to sustainable energy as they generally contribute to
world energy security, reducing dependence on fossil fuel resources, and providing opportunities for mitigating
greenhouse gases.

4. Poverty alleviation: largest population of the under developed countries depend on wood fuel. This is because of
high levels of poverty that makes it too economical to access other types of energy resources. Wood fuel can be used
for cooking and heating, and occasionally for fueling steam engines and steam turbines that generate electricity. Wood
may be used indoors in a furnace, stove, or fireplace. Residential wood burning also produces a laundry list of other
pollutants such as mercury, carbon monoxide, greenhouse gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen
oxides. The VOCs react with nitrogen oxides to form ground-level ozone and with water vapor to form acid rain.

5. Public health: A key health benefit is that our air and atmosphere would no longer be polluted by greenhouse
gases, but also by other pollutants which are emitted by fossil fuel plants or through the combustion of fossil fuels
through transport. Some of common diseases linked to air and water pollution include:

 breathing problems,
 neurological damage,
 heart attacks,
 and cancer

Prevention of all this is when the population resort in sustainable use of energy which will check on the pollution of
the environment.

6. Food security: Sustainable energy can greatly help reduce loss. The United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) has been providing institutional and technical support for projects, such as the Solar Chill Project, which
helps deliver food refrigeration services to regions of the world with no electricity or an inadequate access to energy.
Solar chill technology is a unique feature of the technology where by the energy of the sun is stored in the ice instead
of in batteries. The equipment is powered by renewable energy from the sun collected via photovoltaic solar panels.

7. Sustainable development: conserving the environment through sustainable construction which is aimed at
reducing the amount of emissions from the buildings. Buildings have the capacity to contribute to environmental
conservation given that they account for more than 40% of energy consumption. So After construction, a number of
mechanisms are employed to reduce energy consumption. A simple example is the use of LED and CFL bulbs. From
a normal day-to-day perspective, energy efficiency in buildings can help consumers counter high electricity bills. Use
of solar hot water heaters can reduce energy consumption and the use of double glazed/ tinted windows also increases
the energy efficiency rating of buildings.

EXCLUSIVE: Consider how much MASDAR CITY conserves energywise by taking the close look at it.

Located 17 kilometers from Abu Dhabi capital is Masdar City - which also goes by the names Zero Carbon Ark and
Desert Utopia. Regarded as the model of future cities, it sits on six-square-kilometers of land underneath which is 100
billion barrels of oil but it won't be consuming even a drop of it to achieve its zero carbon emission target. The desert
temperature is around 40 to 50 degrees Celsius but inside the city it is only about 20 degrees, thanks to its indigenous
design. 80% of the city's energy supply will come from solar. A 10 megawatt solar power array is already powering
the construction of a mega power supply for the city. The eco city is a perfect example of sustainable construction and
smart transportation solutions; the proposed transportation system is a driverless, point-to-point personal rapid transit
system, electric vehicle system, electric buses and automated public transportation network. These will help the city
become a zero carbon utopia.

8. Social economic development: Environmental problems result from economic expansion which increases
extraction of natural resources and accumulation of waste, in the end exceeding the carrying capacity of the biosphere
to the pollutants

9. Water resources management: Depending on its need, the water flow can be obstructed, redirected or slowed
down using a dam. The barrier often creates a small reservoir or a lake, collecting the excess flow of water. People use
most dams for irrigation. While some dams are used for generating electricity, which we know as ‘hydropower’ or
‘hydro energy’. Hydropower is an environmentally friendly source of energy therefore the environment recommends
it other than using other energy sources like nuclear energy, fossil fuels which not only pollute the air but also
economical.
10. Technological advancement: Technology can be used to monitor and facilitate:

 Energy efficiency, from the kitchen to the desktop.

 'Green' living; adopting a lifestyle that accommodates solar, wind, and renewable sources of energy.
 Vehicles that run on 'green' fuel, hybrid cars, and popular designs.
 Afforestation; to prevent carbon intensive paper production and encroaching upon 'green' space.
 Environmentally-friendly, solid chemical disposal systems.
 Energy-intensive home and work environment.

The above mentioned, possible changes are critical to our survival. Technology and dedicated research can help us to
manage and monitor energy consumption. This in turn will reduce the risks associated with a depleted ozone layer.
Even as we meet costs of technology, we can make it worthwhile by using the resource to raise energy efficiency and
the quality of interaction between man and the atmosphere.

11. Legal requirements: The government should implement the minimum wage policy so that people in an area can
afford certain standards of living and clean energy source

12. Energy diversity: Having alternative sources of energy leads to sustainable energy development as there is
energy security

13. Public awareness: One of the increasing hazards in our society has been the overuse of energy. Over the past
decades we have seen an increase in the amount energy used in households due to evolving technology, as well as the
lack of knowledge of how harmful this is becoming to the environment. The knowledge of energy consumption is an
excellent way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the main focus of our issue is that of giving people the knowledge
and understanding of the issue of energy conservation and thereby allowing them to make an informed decision about
the issue, as well as sharing the information with others

14. Save energy, save the environment

Although it may not be obvious, there’s a direct connection between your energy use and the environment. When you
consume less power, you reduce the amount of toxic fumes released by power plants, conserve the earth’s natural
resources and protect ecosystems from destruction. By taking steps to reduce your energy intake, you’ll contribute to
a healthier and happier world.

15. Protect the air and prevent climate change

Perhaps the most notable way that reducing energy helps the environment is by decreasing power plant emissions. To
generate electricity, most power plants burn coal, crude oil or other fossil fuels. Although this method of creating
energy is relatively inexpensive, our planet pays the price – carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are just
a few of the byproducts that come from traditional methods of power generation.

Carbon dioxide, which accounts for the majority of all airborne pollution, is a greenhouse gas. When carbon dioxide
is released into the air, it absorbs the sun’s warmth and keeps heat in our atmosphere. This “greenhouse effect” is a
natural phenomenon, and it’s necessary for survival on earth. However, as power plants burn more fuel to create more
energy, the extra carbon waste traps too much heat. This can have a detrimental impact on our land and our lives.
Effects of greenhouse gas emissions include: Rising temperatures, heat waves and drought, higher sea levels,
Abnormal weather patterns, increased intensity of natural disasters, Smog and acid rain
Cutting back on energy consumption reduces the amount of electricity that power plants have to make, subsequently
reducing the amount of fossil fuels that are burned each day. Even a small change can make a tremendous difference

16. Conserve limited natural resources

When you opt to cut back on energy use, you also help conserve limited natural resources that would otherwise be
used to power the power plants. Less demand for energy creates less demand for harvesting fossil fuels. Turning off
the lights at night or washing clothes in cold water can save trees, coal, natural gas and more. From an economic
standpoint, it’s critical to conserve our finite resources. As fossil fuels become increasingly scarce, they will become
extremely expensive.

17. Biodiversity and ecosystem conservation:

In addition to impacting climate patterns and depleting stores of natural resources, excessive energy use can harm
animals and ecosystems. Mining, logging and material extraction associated with the provision of fossil fuels destroys
habitats on land and in the ocean. Human-induced air pollution is one of the main reasons that biodiversity is
disappearing at 1,000 times the normal extinction rate.

Oil spills, which often occur during the transport of fossil fuels, wreak havoc on underwater species and throw of the
chemical balance of our oceans, making it dangerous for humans to swim.
Although the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has set regulations to reduce chemical dumping, the toxic
waste created by power plants hasn’t disappeared. Coal-fired power plants are reportedly the largest source of toxic
water pollution in the U.S. Each year, these energy plants discharge billions of tons of poisonous waste, often
containing arsenic, mercury and lead.

18. Consume less, conserve more

Reducing electricity use in your home – or going off the power grid with solar energy –can benefit the environment,
conserve resources and save lives. Although your own energy saving adjustments may seem inconsequential, small
steps become great leaps when multiplied by 7 billion.
5. IN THE RECENT YEARS UGANDA HAS STABILIZED IN TERMS OF ENERGY SECURITY, UNLIKE THE
1990’S WHEN LOAD SHEDDING WAS ALMOST THE NORM. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT AND HOW? DO
YOU THINK GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA MANAGED TO MINIMIZE THE THEN NATIONAL ENERGY
CRISES AND REDUCED ON LOAD SHEDDING?

1. Move towards Renewable Resources: The best possible solution was to reduce the countries dependence on non-
renewable resources and to improve energy sector and overall conservation efforts. Much of the industrial age was
created using fossil fuels, but there was known technology that used other types of renewable energies such as steam,
solar. The major concern wasn’t so much that we would run out of gas or oil, but that the use of coal was going to
continue to pollute the atmosphere and destroy other natural resources in the process of mining the coal which was to
be replaced as an energy source.

2. Buy Energy Efficient products: Replacement of traditional bulbs with CFL’s and LED’s. They use less watts of
electricity and last longer. Millions of people in the country were encouraged to use LED’s and CFL’s for residential
and commercial purposes, the demand for energy reduced and energy crisis has been averted.

3. Lighting Controls: The Ugandan government came up with number of new technologies that made lighting
controls that much more interesting and they help to save a lot of energy and cash in the long run. Preset lighting
controls, slide lighting, touch dimmers, integrated lighting controls are few of the lighting controls that help to
conserve energy and reduce overall lighting costs.

4. Easier Grid Access: People who used different options to generate power were being given permission to plug into
the grid and getting credit for power they fed into it. Apart from that, subsidy on solar panels was given to encourage
more people to explore renewable options.

5. Energy Simulation: Energy simulation software was used by big corporates and corporations to redesign building
units and reduce running business energy cost. Engineers, architects and designers used this design to come up with
most energy efficient buildings and also reduce carbon footprint.

6. Perform Energy Audit: the Government carried out energy audit, which is a process that helps you to identify the
areas where your home or office is losing energy and what steps you can take to improve energy efficiency. Energy
audit when done by a professional can help you to reduce your carbon footprint, save energy and money and avoid
energy crisis.

7. Common Stand on Climate Change: Both developed and developing countries adopted a common stand on
climate change. This focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through an effective cross border mechanism.
This was of benefit as it improved the quality of natural resources for example water bodies, forests which are energy
sources.

8. Proper solid waste management: government also encouraged the citizens properly discard of solid wastes in
areas accessible to the waste collectors who later recycle these wastes to come up with fuel for example, using
biotechnological process. Biotechnology is the conversion of Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) and it involves the use
of microorganisms to convert the organic fraction of the MSW to different molecules. The most common processes of
microbial conversion of MSW include the production of liquid fuels (ethanol) and gaseous fuels (methane and
hydrogen). Solid waste is also used to manufacture the briquettes which is the excellent substitute to the charcoal.

9. Proper urban planning: The urban setting for example, building the high scrappers and buildings which will
require less energy in form of lights and air circulation to limit the use of fans and air conditioners. The architectural
design should bring out a building which allows too much light and air in the room, probably the use of glasses and
tinted windows on the walls can be efficient to achieve the conservation of energy.

10. Population control and regulation: Another cause of the crisis has been the steady increase in the Uganda’s
population and its demands for fuel and products. No matter what type of food or products one choose to use from fair
trade and organic to those made from petroleum products in a sweatshop not one of them is made or transported
without a significant drain on our energy resources.

11. Public awareness: Since 1990’s the Ugandan government through the Energy sector has continuously sensitized
the communities on the ways of improving the energy use for example encouraging the people to use energy saving
stoves instead of cookers and kerosene stoves, with an effort to reduce energy crisis

12. Technological advancement: As technology advances more and more energy efficient designs and machines are
manufactured for example energy star certified appliances, LED bulbs. This means therefore that the government of
Uganda encouraged advancement of technology as one way of bringing down energy crisis.

13. Wetland conservation and restoration: most of the locals who reside near the wetlands depend on it by getting
cooking fuel from its vegetation in form of firewood which in turn helps the government by diversifying the energy
source and thus reducing the energy crisis. Wetlands also acts as water catchment areas and controlling the floods
during rainy seasons later during dry seasons they discharge their waters into the streams that supply rivers which may
be otherwise producing hydroelectricity. Therefore their conservation and restoration stood a better position towards
mitigating energy load shedding.

14. Sustainable forestry: The potential way is to convert lignocellulosic biomass into usable energy such as biofuel.
The composition of lignocellulosic biomass is inedible parts of plants like grasses crops, forest waste and woody
plants. It is the most plentifully obtainable renewable raw ingredients on the earth for generating biofuel. Through
photosynthesis plants convert solar energy into chemical energy that store in the different polymer of cell wall like
lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. Finally, biofuel like ethanol can be produced from renewable lignocellulosic
biomass via different chemical processes like pyrolysis, acid catalyzed hydrolysis and enzyme catalyzed hydrolysis.
Enzyme catalyzed hydrolysis process is faster and can produce more yields. This process has reduced the energy crisis
significantly by producing more biofuel like ethanol.

Cycle of sustainable biofuel

14. Sustainable agriculture: Sustainable agriculture system, such as bio intensive techniques, are designed to create
food in a closed cycle where no off-farm inputs are used. Good farming practices such as mixed farming, mulching,
pruning, timely planting were encouraged and all these aimed at cutting the cost of energy input in the agriculture
sector for example timely planting, mulching reduce the need for irrigation and mixed farming aims at recycling of
wastes as animals feed on harvest residues and the waste products from animals is used to improve soil fertility
limiting the need of manufactured fertilizers.

15. Pollution control: Energy conservation and pollution reduction go hand-in-hand, as the power plants that
generate your electricity often release arsenic, mercury, other metals and acid gases that threaten human health and the
environment. Putting into practice a few simple, convenient ways to conserve energy will also help you to trim your
utility bills. Energy sector established the Energy Star program to label products, such as appliances and electronics
that utilize significantly less energy, while offering comparable quality to similar products and at the same time
reduce on emissions to the environment.

16. Poverty alleviation: Inclusive economic growth is the single most effective means of reducing poverty and
boosting prosperity. As economy grew the demand for energy facilitated the development of other alternative sources
of energy like solar power, thermal energy, biogas, wind energy other than depending on single source of energy
which was Hydroelectric power and this was one way of curbing energy crisis.

17. Sustainable transport: The Ugandan government encouraged the citizens to use public means instead of private
cars as a way of reducing the consumption of fuel that contributes to energy crisis

18. Diversify energy sources: Through different sources of energy like solar energy, biogas, wind energy etc.,
Uganda has been able to achieve excellence in energy sector and reduced energy crisis. Diversification of energy
sources reduced over dependence on a single source of energy the Hydroelectricity power

19. Women empowerment: promoting more efficient and sustainable use of traditional wood fuel and encouraging
women to switch to modern cooking fuels and technologies for example using briquettes, energy saving stoves.
Also reducing energy consumption during household works like using energy efficient kitchen equipment and
appliances. This is because in the households women take the highest users of energy in the kitchen
6. GOAL 7 ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) STATES THAT “ENSURE ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, SUSTAINABLE AND MODERN ENERGY FOR ALL” AS ENVIRONMENTAL
EXPERT, HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS

Evolution of distributed energy technology, maturity of financial tools and a greater awareness across stakeholders
offer a new opportunity for solving the global issue of energy access. With technology largely available, the critical
factors to overcome are the financial challenge – by making long-term investment projects both bankable and scalable
– and the capability constraints. Enabling those will allow energy systems to reach their goal of affordability and
sustainability today.

1. Change attitudes

Attitudes to energy use are based on many factors, from cultural norms to overall infrastructure design. We need
much greater political will to affect a change in attitudes. It is critical that policy interventions should communicate to
citizens the ethical notion of improved well-being and health now and for future generations of a zero-carbon
economy.

2. Transform governance

The transformation needed this century is more fundamental than previous transformations, like the replacement of
coal by oil, because of the significantly shorter time needed to achieve it. Thus, government policies are essential, and
are needed particularly in changing buildings codes, fuel efficiency standards for transportation, mandates for the
introduction of renewables and carbon pricing.

3. Improve energy efficiency

More efficient provision of energy services, or doing more with less, and radical improvements in energy efficiency,
especially in end use, will reduce the amount of primary energy required and represents a cost-effective, near-term
option for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, as well as having multiple benefits in different areas of life.

4. Ramp up renewable use

We can show that the share of renewable non-fossil energy from solar, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal
sources in global primary energy could increase from the current 17% to between 30% and 75%. In some regions it
could exceed 90% by 2050, provided that public attitudes change and efficiency increases.

5. Reduce global energy intensity

The energy intensity in the industrial sector in different countries is steadily declining due to improvements in energy
efficiency and a change in the structure of the industrial output. Far greater reductions are feasible by combining these
improvements with adoption of the best-achievable technology.

6. Use known technologies

Carbon capture and storage (CCS), now being piloted, is a pathway that leads to decarbonization with continued use
of fossil energy. It requires reducing costs, supporting scale-up, assuring carbon storage integrity and environmental
capability, and securing approval of storage sites. Nuclear energy could make a significant contribution in some parts
of the world, or it could be phased out as, for instance, in Germany.

7. Improve buildings

Retrofitting buildings can reduce heating and cooling energy requirements by 50-90%; new buildings can be designed
and built using close to zero energy for heating and cooling. Passive energy houses and those that produce energy
onsite are another great opportunity to achieve vigorous decarbonization. In conjunction with compatible lifestyles
oriented toward rational energy use, efficient buildings are an important decarbonization option.

8. Cut transport carbon

A major transformation of transportation is possible over the next 30–40 years and will require improving vehicle
designs, infrastructure, fuels and behaviour. Electrically powered transportation reduces final energy use by more than
a factor of three over gasoline-powered vehicles. A shift toward collective mobility is an essential option. This also
implies behavioural changes and new business models like car-sharing and self-driving cars to replace individual
mobility.

9. Clean industrial processes

Overall, global industry efficiency is only 30%. Improved energy efficiency in industry results in significant energy
productivity gains and, in turn, improved productivity boosts employment and corporate competitiveness. A shift
towards low to zero emission energy sources in industry is another important and much-needed change. For example,
with an aggressive renewables strategy, near-zero growth in GHG emissions in the industrial sector would be
possible. Finally, decarbonization would also involve changes of industrial processes, for example, from high to low
temperatures.

10. Stranded assets and derisking renewables

The flow of investment needs to be changed away from fossil fuels and towards, efficiency, renewables,
decarbonization of fossil energy sources, and especially efficient end-use in buildings, transport and industry.
Sustainable energy futures require relatively high up-front investments with the benefit of low long-term costs. They
are attractive in the long run, but the up-front investments need derisking and other forms of support, such as feed-in
tariffs.

11. Perform Energy Audit

The Government should carry out energy audit, which is a process that helps to identify the areas where your home or
office is losing energy and what steps you can take to improve energy efficiency. Energy audit when done by a
professional can help to reduce the carbon footprint, save energy and money as this will limit the loss of energy
making it available and affordable for all.

12. Diversify energy sources

Through different sources of energy like solar energy, biogas, wind energy etc. globe will be able to achieve
excellence in energy sector and increase energy availability. Diversification of energy sources reduce over
dependence on few sources
 13. Sustainable agriculture

Sustainable agriculture system, such as bio intensive techniques, are designed to create food in a closed cycle where
no off-farm inputs are used. Good farming practices such as mixed farming, mulching, pruning, timely planting if
encouraged will cut off the cost of energy input in the agriculture sector for example timely planting, mulching reduce
the need for irrigation and mixed farming aims at recycling of wastes as animals feed on harvest residues and the
waste products from animals is used to improve
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