ARE & UNREEEA Sign MoU to Foster Decentralised Renewable Energy in Uganda
30 August 2021 – The Uganda National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Alliance (UNREEEA) and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to foster the renewable energy sector in Uganda and East Africa. The MoU sets out the shared goals of the two organisations and areas of collaboration through the identification and development of programmes and projects.
In view of the MoU, the associations will collaborate on several activities, including joint advocacy for renewable energy policies in Uganda to create a conducive market environment for decentralised renewable energy (DRE) actors, accompanying and contributing to the government’s efforts to achieve renewable energy and energy access targets as well as developing joint publications, market briefs or research papers on related topics.
In this respect, the associations aim to cooperate on targeted skills development and capacity building activities for renewable energy stakeholders in Uganda to create local jobs and enhance the capacity of the sector to raise increased financing for renewable energy projects and businesses. This will be achieved by spearheading in-person or virtual “DRE Investment Academies” or similar trainings for Ugandan and international DRE project developers and other stakeholders, to provide additional fundraising and technical support.
Finally, the MoU states that the partners will support services for Ugandan renewable energy actors who work to address energy access, energy security and climate change challenges in Uganda and conduct research to improve the market for renewable energy technologies.
UNREEEA Chairman, Alexander Komakech Akena, said that: " It is a great opportunity to partner and work with ARE through this MoU. This opens a large door to learn, share, and leverage lessons from each other to develop Uganda’s renewable energy sector. Especially to leaving no one behind through universal energy access even as threats of a changing climate mounts. We are pleased with the step and look forward to great collaboration with ARE.’’
ARE CEO, David Lecoque, underlined that: “The MoU paves the way for positive cooperation between ARE and UNREEEA. This is an excellent opportunity to share knowledge, learn from each other and work together to increase access to renewable energy and energy security as well as to curb the effects of climate change in Uganda and East Africa. We look forward to a strong collaboration with our friends and colleagues in Uganda.”
ARE Africa Lead, Gabriele Pammesberger, said: “We are delighted to enter into this partnership with UNREEEA to strengthen our collaboration towards the development of a thriving, inclusive and sustainable renewable energy sector in Uganda and accelerate access to clean and affordable energy that drives economic empowerment of rural communities. Based on shared values and objectives we are looking forward to closely cooperate in the areas of policy & advocacy, private sector business development support, innovation, and capacity building & skills development.”