Systems Strengthening to Enhance Solar Energy Use and Services in Uganda (SESEUS)
SESEUS is a project implemented by ACSET Uganda in partnership with Urbis-Foundation – Germany in 9 districts of the Lango sub-region, with funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The project aims to build the capacity of two local Vocational Institutes (Minakulu Technical Institute and Human Technical Development Training Centre – Lira) to deliver a 3-month course on solar technology and adopt it as a permanent course in their course catalogue after the project.
A total of 40 rural women and young persons will be trained from the two VTIs, graduate as Solar Extension Agents (SEA), and be integrated into the SEA network to deliver solar services to solar users in Northern Uganda.
The SESEUS project also builds the capacity of District Local Government staff, SEA Network, and Private Sector Actors through the integration of Solar Energy in the DLG plans, policies, and budgets, as well as the establishment of a Public-Private Partnerships to Provide, strengthen, and promote access to Solar Energy Use and services in Uganda.
Promotion of Renewable Energy use in Uganda project
The Promotion of Renewable Energy use in Uganda (ProREU) is a project implemented by ACSET Uganda in consortium with URBIS Foundation - Germany, with funding from GIZ – GmbH. The project was implemented in 8 districts of the Lango sub-region and contributed to the overall “Green People’s Energy” aim to improve the conditions for supplying regions in rural Africa with decentralised renewable energy assisted by the involvement of citizens, local government, civil society organisations and the private sector. Through the identification of the local status-quo and the analysis of existing projects in the region, specific needs were identified and consequently addressed by the project. The ProREU project delivered on two components;
1. Training
ACSET Uganda established a partnership with UTC – Lira and trained 50 solar extension agents (SEAs). This partnership built the capacity of UTC – Lira as the first local institution in the Lango Sub-region to provide training for potential students and solar technicians who are willing to improve their knowledge in solar systems technology. The ProREU project has made UTC – Lira a state-of-the-art centre for the whole region, providing knowledge and practical skills required to make solar installations that meet both technical and safety requirements in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The ProREU project trained 50 locally identified technicians on solar systems installation and maintenance at the UTC - Lira. These trainees were released to the community and are currently providing important solar services such as installation, repair, maintenance and troubleshooting of solar PV systems in the 9 districts of the Lango Sub-region. Additionally, the SEAs are playing their role as multipliers, spreading their knowledge about solar energy among their colleagues and communities. The SEAs were further trained on mapping solar systems to deepen their knowledge and experience and gain additional skills.
The ProREU project built a network of SEAs consisting of 50 technicians trained at UTC-Lira and the locally available qualified technicians in the Lango sub-region. The SEA network is working as a body that is responsible for installing, maintaining, repairing, troubleshooting and mapping of solar systems in the region, as well as giving advice to clients and providing valid information on suppliers and the solar products that fit the client’s needs thus, the SEA network is engaged and playing important roles in facilitating access to energy for citizens. The project has therefore, directly addressed the need for technical support whilst building a sustainable platform for the SEAs and PSAs (solar companies) to reach out to each other and interact as partners for improved service delivery in the communities, including the district local governments of Northern Uganda.
2. Mapping
The ProREU project facilitated the mapping of 50 SEAs, Solar companies and Solar service centres in the Lango Sub-region. The maps contain information such as location, services provided and contact information that solar users and potential clients can contact whenever they need to access solar services or any assistance. The SEAs were trained on mapping and facilitated to map solar systems installed at all public institutions (schools, health centres and administrative offices) and private households as well as institutions without any access to electricity, categorising them into functional and non-functional solar systems. The SEAs continued to map the households that they have installed, or offered repair and maintenance services and piloted how the mapping of private households can create revenue for their maintenance services. The ProREU map is the first user-friendly, open-source solar systems and solar experts mapping in Uganda. The solar maps are available at: https://solarpvdata.acsetuganda.org/
Other Renewable Energy Projects
RELIEF 1 Project
Renewable Energy for Light, Economic empowerment & Food (RELIEF – Project) has been implemented in two villages (Agamotic and Amuk) and two schools (Etam Seed Secondary School and Arwot Community Primary School) in Etam Sub-county in Amolatar District in Northern Uganda.
Renewable energy for Light, Economic-empowerment and Food - RELIEF 2 ACSET Uganda in partnership with Urbis-Foundation has been implementing renewable energy projects since 2016 up to date. We have implemented solar Kiosk Project, RELIEF 1 and now implementing RELIEF 2 project in Northern Uganda.
Renewable energy for Light, Economic-empowerment and Food - RELIEF 2 ACSET Uganda in partnership with Urbis-Foundation has been implementing renewable energy projects since 2016 up to date. We have implemented solar Kiosk Project, RELIEF 1 and now implementing RELIEF 2 project in Northern Uganda.
