Overview of Interventions by Energy Solutions for Displacement Settings in Uganda

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Introduction

Overview of Interventions by ESDS Uganda

Energy Solutions for Displacement Settings (SUN-ESDS) is a component of the Global Programme Support to UNHCR in facilitating the operationalization of the Global Compact on Refugees in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (SUN), which is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

This overview of interventions outlines all the activities implemented by ESDS Uganda in the areas of policy development, greening UNHCR infrastructure, and market-based energy access.

Development of the Sustainable Energy Response Plan for Refugees and Host Communities (SERP)

• SERP consultations: To gather valuable inputs for the SERP, consultations with various stakeholders were held across 12 refugee-hosting districts from November 2020 to March 2021.
• SERP development: A reiterative process of providing a full SERP draft for discussion and revision. The SERP was endorsed by the CRRF Steering Group in December 2021. Lessons Learned on the SERP development can be found here.
• SERP Launch: Publication, dissemination, and advocacy of the SERP and the official launch event on the 25th of August 2022.

Greening UNHCR Infrastructure

ESDS supported UNHCR in solarising compounds in Adjumani and Yumbe district through feasibility studies, business case development, development of procurement documentation, regulatory analyses, and environmental and social impact assessments.

Market-based Energy Access for Households, Social Institutions, and Productive Users of Energy

Improved institutional cookstoves (IICS) were provided to three reception centres and four schools. In addition, four schools and three health centres were solarised. To support the operation and maintenance of health centre solar PV systems, two canteens were established and operationalised. Click here for more information on health centre technical sizing and design methodology and electrification of health centres. Lastly, four solar powered energy kiosks were constructed and operationalised providing access to products (improved cook stoves, solar lights, solar home systems, etc.) and services (phone charging, secretarial services, banking, basic computer training, etc.). The construction was accompanied with the provision of business start-up items for the kiosk run by a local community group consisting of refugees and host community members. Click here for more information on energy kiosks.

Support to Private Sector through Results-based Financing (RBF) Mechanisms

Between May 2021 and January 2024 solar companies were supported resulting in the sale of 2,100 quality solar products (solar home systems, charging and lighting solar lanterns) to refugee and host households (HHs). Moreover, between October 2020 and September 2023 cookstove companies were supported resulting in the sale of 11,500 quality improved cookstove products to refugee and host households.

The RBF approach aimed to develop markets for sustainable access to quality solar products by strengthening supply chains in these non-commercially viable markets that are perceived to be risky by private sector solar and cookstove companies. Solar and cookstove companies were supported to develop and strengthen their delivery and access channels within the refugee and host markets with different results-based incentives, including gender incentives that particularly targeted involvement of women in the distribution chain as well as access. Supply side RBF was the major delivery mechanism, however, blended RBF targeting both supply and demand (end users) was piloted in Rhino Camp, Imvepi, and Bidibidi Refugee Settlements.

Improved Wood Fuel Management

Three wood fuel storage facilities were constructed and training was provided to staff of the two reception centres and the high school to better manage biomass fuel processing and storage. Moreover, five woodlots were established for fuel and a total of 31,900 tree seedlings were provided.

E-waste Management

Three e-waste repair and collection centres were commissioned in August 2024 for consistency. The measure included: Supply and installation of a container serving as repair workshop for electrical appliances and solar lanterns, safe storage of end-of-life products, and youth skills development centre. As well as: Training of technicians to manage the newly established e-waste repair and collection points in June 2024.

Access to Electricity by Promoting Mini-grids in Refugee Settlements

GIZ Uganda Pro Mini Grids Project, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and GIZ cooperatively pioneered the development of solar-powered mini-grids in 28 villages in Lamwo District. ESDS and GET.transform made financial contributions to this project for the installation of two mini-grids in Palabek Refugee Settlement and one mini-grid in a host community.

Support to Productive Users of Energy in Mini-grid Locations

Along side the mini-grid installation, a business training of productive users of electricity was conducted. AVSI Foundation was selected by ESDS to provide support to productive users of electricity in Lamwo District. After a business ideas competition among micro and small businesses located within the mini-grid locations, 103 female and male refugee and host community business owners were trained in business and financial skills. Of these approximately 80 are considered for a matching grant to support their purchase of electric appliances and equipment.