The MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit have today unveiled a solar project facility in Entebbe to support the power for sustainable scientific research with solar energy. The project commissioning ceremony was presided over by Elizabeth Kaijuka Okwenje the Principal Energy Officer who represented the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Hon Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu.
The Facility is one of the bases following the UN’s global call to action to combat climate change, the unit is currently implementing ambitious plans to decarbonize its research and operation activities and make them more sustainable. The project took 2.3 million pounds funded by the UK government.
The solar-powered facility will be used to increase the renewable fraction of power used for scientific research and operations at the unit, lower the electricity bills, and guarantee a reliable source of sustainable energy.
In her speech, Hon Ruth Nankabirwa extended heartfelt appreciation to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) for its unwavering dedication to improving the lives of the people through groundbreaking research aimed at detecting, preventing, and managing viral diseases.
She also remarked that the partnership between UVRI and esteemed organizations such as the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit have been instrumental in driving impactful developments over the past three and a half decades.
“Uganda has witnessed remarkable progress in expanding its energy sources to meet the growing demand. Over the past two decades, our total power generation capacity has surged from 317 MW in 2012 to over 1,600 MW today, with significant contributions from projects like the Karuma hydropower plant. Hydroelectricity remains our dominant source, followed by thermal and bagasse cogeneration, with solar energy steadily gaining ground, constituting 4.7% of our total installed capacity,” she noted.
The minister also highlighted that the government of Uganda is dedicated to promoting the optimal development of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems through integrated resource planning and adherence to regulatory standards.
“Institutions like the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, with their substantial energy requirements, play a pivotal role in championing environmentally friendly power solutions,” she added.
Nankabirwa therefore congratulated MRC/UVRI, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) for their visionary initiative in completing the installation of a 748.85kVWp Solar power system across all three stations in Entebbe, Masaka, and Kyamulibwa, saying that this accomplishment truly reflects a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the advancement of medical research.
“Today’s inauguration event provides us with a unique opportunity to showcase the transformative potential of solar energy in the field of medical research. It serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to embrace renewable energy solutions and contribute to the global transition towards a more sustainable future, therefore as we gather here to celebrate this remarkable achievement, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and safeguarding the well-being of future generations,” the Energy and Mineral Development Minister noted.
In conclusion, she commends the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit for their visionary leadership and commitment to sustainability saying that this inauguration is a testament to their dedication to advancing the nation’s energy goals and inspiring others to embrace renewable energy solutions.
The Unit Director and Director of the UVRI Professor Pontiano Kaleebu, while delivering his address noted that as an organization they are excited about having this contribution to power because it has been costing them a lot saying that power takes a lot of funds, so if they can have something affordable that’s good for the institution.
“We are very excited about this development, this facility will provide opportunities to strengthen and expand our research and training to contribute to improving the health of our people” he added.
The LSHTM Chief Operating Officer, Dr Matt Lee on behalf of the funders lauded the great partnership they have with MRC/UVRI and pledged to continue moving together.
He also said that the research carried out is laboratory-based and to run laboratories takes a huge amount of power, therefore the use of solar power and battery storage will help to maintain the research facilities day and night in an excellent sustainable manner.
Dr Jonas Lexow the Unit Chief Operating Officer remarked that the project being implemented has been phased in 3 stages (phases I, II, and Ill) to ensure that each phase is financially feasible.
“The solar fractions in the power mix projected after phases I, II, and Ill are 25, 40, and 70% respectively. Phase I, which involved installation of 1,016 solar panels across the 3 sites, was completed in 2021 followed by phase Il in January 2023,” he said.
In addition, Dr. Lexow highlighted that phase Il of the project has entailed the expansion of the existing solar capacity in Entebbe by installing 513additional solar panels on the rooftops of MRC buildings available in the South-East area of the UVRI compound.
“Given that all the energy produced in phase I was consumed directly by the load, for this expansion, to allow usage of excess energy produced during the day in the evening when the cost of the power from the grid is higher, energy storage and control systems have also been installed. Further, a transformer and Medium Voltage line have been installed to transfer the electricity produced from the rooftops to the main switch room of the MRC facilities. Importantly, in implementing phase l, flexibility, reliability, and a significant degree of redundancy have been embedded in the electrical and civil constructions to ease future installations for phase Ill of the project,” he concluded.
About MRC/UVRI
The MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit is an internationally recognized center of excellence for research and training.
The Unit was established in 1988 to improve the understanding and control of the HIV epidemic in Uganda and globally, following a request from the Uganda Government to the UKGovernment. Recently, after wide consultations, and in response to the changing public health landscape, the Unit’s work has broadened beyond HIV to include other infections, neglected, endemic, emerging, and re-emerging infections, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
LSHTM
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is renowned for its research, postgraduate studies, and continuing education in public and global health. The School has an international presence and collaborative ethos and is uniquely placed to help shape health policy and translate research findings into tangible impact.
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