Uganda is laying the ground for the country’s first renewable energy auction combining solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System. In the week of 14 September, the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Uganda (ERA) hosted several stakeholder meetings and workshops to obtain consensus on proposed tender approach and clearly define stakeholder roles and responsibilities for its success.
Delivered in partnership with GET.transform, the week saw participation from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), and Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) and was focused on laying the required institutional and technical foundations.
The discussions largely focused on defining the auction structure, identifying risks and key bankability issues, clear demarcation of institutional roles and agreeing on a clear way forward regarding the tender timelines.
A key outcome of the mission was the development of a roadmap for the tender launch including key decisions, sequencing of tasks, and a clear timeline. The process is also intended to strengthen national institutional capacity to identify immediate priorities for future auction rounds.
As part of the mission’s deliverables, a market sounding report has been prepared, providing a structured assessment of potential stakeholder concerns that could affect the tender.
The preparations mark a step towards introducing a more structured approach to procuring renewable energy and establishing the institutional arrangements needed to support the country’s first auction. According to the mission timeline, the tender is slated to be launched in the third quarter of next year.
