By Ambrose Gahene,
KAMPALA
The Power and Electricity Uganda International Expo 2024 is set to take place from 11th to 13th July 2024 at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) ground, according to a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
Hon. Okasaai Opolot, the Minister of State for Energy, while addressing Journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Thursday, said the Expo shall run under the theme: “Connect with the Power, Energy, Electrical, Electronics, Lighting, Renewable and Solar and Related Industries in Uganda”.
“The Power and Elec. International Expo 2024 aims to promote Innovative technologies, create awareness, and foster Sustainable collaborations in the Power Sector”, said Hon. Opolot in a statement.
According to Hon.Opolot, the expo will bring together several stakeholders ranging from; policy makers, manufacturers and suppliers of power products to importers and exporters dealing in electrical, electronics, renewable, and solar products and other renewable energy technologies.
He anticipates that; the expo will provide networking, partnership and business opportunities in Uganda’s power sector with global players from India, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and other regions.
Stakeholders in the Energy sector at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday. Photo by Ambrose Gahene | Parrots UG.“A highlight of the event is the Power and Electricity Forum 2024,” on 12th July 2024, a one-day conference themed: “The Evolving Power Sector Landscape”, he added.
Hon. Opolot said this forum will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and presentations from selected companies, an exhibition tour and a matchmaking session.
He added that; in a bid to promote the adoption of cleaner and efficient transport technologies, the Ministry of Energy has embarked on the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
“So far a charging station for electric vehicles has been installed at the Ministry of Energy Headquarters. In addition to this, a regulatory framework for setting up electric vehicle charging stations is being developed”, he further said.
Under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto 2021-2026, the Government planned to implement the introduction of a 10 percent Bio- ethanol blending program and policy by the second year.
Hon. Opolot says a comprehensive legal framework for the production, storage, transportation of biofuels; and blending of biofuels with fossil fuels is now in place, including a gazette of the Licensing Authority, and finalization of the draft Licensing Guidelines.
“Additionally, the Government is promoting Nuclear energy, Preparatory activities for the 8400MWe Nuclear Power Plant in Buyende District are ongoing and the Nuclear Training hi Programme is being set up at Soroti University”, he further pointed out.