In a milestone move to improve access to clean energy, Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) in partnership with several Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), has launched a Price Subsidy Program for Clean Energy Technologies. The Program is set to make high-quality, off-grid solar systems, clean cooking solutions, and productive energy use equipment affordable to millions of Ugandans, including those in refugee settlements.

The subsidy program, a key component of UECCC’s Results-Based Financing (RBF) Program, addresses the cost barriers often associated with adopting the use of clean energy technologies. Through significant price reductions with the selected ESCOs, it aims to increase accessibility and adoption of energy-efficient products nationwide:

• • Solar Lanterns will see a 60% price reduction, and two-light solar systems will have a 50% discount.
  • Clean cooking solutions—using solar, briquettes, ethanol, biogas, and liquefied petroleum gas—will receive discounts ranging from 30% to 50%.
  • Productive energy equipment, including water pumps, irrigation systems, refrigeration, cooling units, water heating, and grain milling equipment, will be discounted by 60%.

Through this partnership with ESCOs, UECCC is rolling out the program with a market-based approach, ensuring a wide geographical reach across Uganda, including remote areas. Already, eighty-seven (87) companies certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) have been selected to participate, with more expected to join as the program expands.

The Price Subsidy Program, which begins operations on November 1, 2024, aims to streamline the purchasing process, making it accessible, transparent, and straightforward. Ugandans only need a National Identification Card and the ability to cover the subsidized cost to purchase eligible products on the spot. UECCC will publicize both original and discounted prices for each participating company, providing clarity and transparency.

As part of the program, UECCC will conduct regional sensitization campaigns to raise awareness about the benefits of clean energy adoption. Through this and other targeted communication efforts, UECCC hopes to foster a broad understanding of how these technologies contribute to sustainable economic growth, environmental health, and household well-being.

UECCC is the Implementing Agency of the Financial Intermediation Component of the Electricity Access Scale up Project (EASP) with a component value of USD 110m, under which, the RBF Program falls. The project is supported by the World Bank and the Government of Uganda.

Lilian Rebeccah Akullo

Communication Specialist