Eng.Dr. Adam M. Sebbit The East Africa Masterclass at Terrat focused on the village level experience of off-grid energy. We have invited local leaders and rural energy providers from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi and Tanzania. We were keen for village headmen and headwomen to share their village experiences of energy provision and to tell us about the outcomes and impacts of productive energy use in relation to standards of living, education, heath and employment in the village. The workshop heard from the off grid energy providers about their achievements and challenges in bringing off-grid energy to villages and how they have worked with village leaders and the village community.

1. Key Note Address
Eng.Dr. Adam M. Sebbit
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Makerere University
amsebbit@gmail.com
+256-772-485-803

2. Energy
• Energy is very important ingredient in national development. It
spurs and create demand /spin offs !
• The country with energy large energy supply and fair policies
(energy and investment )attracts more local & foreign investments.
• Industries will develop and local /small scale industries is expected
to feed these industries, those located in rural areas need energy.
• It is also important to under stand the role of energy in the
international scene. That will give some idea why the government
may come out with policies .
• Energy has became part and parcel of national and international
security.
• Countries are trying their best to meet national energy demand and
reduce dependence by imports. Those with excess push for export
• Some of the developed countries protects the oil supply routes and
now expanding to Africa (well known oil and gas reserves)

3. Energy
• Energy consumption measures the level of national
development (per capita energy consumption 344kg OE
Uganda).
• Energy is the largest contributors of greenhouse gases. It is
one of the major causes of climate change.
• The changes in weather pattern ( longer draughts, flood in
some areas, it is getting hotter during the day)
• The use of diesel, petrol, coal , unsustainable use of
biomass are among the contributors to global warming
• To sustain the ecological system , energy is needed, the
main source being the sun(derived e.g wind, biomass )
• Most of the ongoing research is how to generate energy at
lower cost , efficient use & sustainability

4. The Modern Energy
• Modern energy tends to address the issues of impacts
of energy on environment.
– Clean electricity for general use in all sectors
– LPG to replace/ supplement charcoal (cost & environment)
– Solar thermal & PV and other renewable sources of energy
– Biomass modern applications : e.g. biofuels & gasification
• The area of application is expanding, other older
tecnonologies are coming back
– Gasification with different capacities ( few kilowatts to
thousand) thermal and electric generation)
– Biogas ( thermal, light, mechanical run engines, electricity)

5. The modern energy
• The modern energy in the rural setting can spur
development and create a needs.
• It can increase business opportunities by creating jobs
in various sectors , results in poverty alleviation.
– Education / communication (schools, training centers)
– Health( health facilities and training centers)
– Agriculture (value added, agro processing, water supply)
– Use of solar for drying of fruits (mangoes, pineapple)
– Improved well being of the community /reduced migration
• PV can also be used for water pumping (but high cost)
• Wind is a viable options for water pumping and
electricity generation ( but it is site specific)

6. Mini grid / independent grid
• Energy for rural transformation phase 1
• Supply electric energy the workshop
• Households within the complex
• Training institution complex
• Feed stock , wood/timber cutting
• Of resent was repaired ( after several years )
• Human resource / two were trained one
remained

7. Nyabyeya Forest college

9. 60 + 80 kW gasifier

10. Kagando Hospital
• The capacity 60 kW
• Energy supplied only to hospital
• The households
• No sale to the community ( old policy)
• Cables just passed over the buildings along the
way.
• The system failure , it was undergoing
rehabilitation
• The demand in increasing within the hospital
complex.

11. Cross Flow Turbines/ Maintanace

12. Francis Turbine /maintenance

13. The Challenges
• The upfront cost of new technologies & technology
transfer ( the terms and conditions)
• The sustainability of the modern energy systems
mostly in the rural setting & political inference
• Maintenance of the technologies and social capital
• At times limited participation of some of the key
stakeholders at crucial points along the cycle of energy
system chain (generation of modern energy to end).
• High willingness to pay against low ability to pay
• Human resources development within the value chain
• Retention of high skilled labour force along the chain.

14. The Challenges
• Create sense of ownership / buy in by the community,
engagement of local at on set.
• The boundary and responsibility and capability
• The culture divide in development (solar installation)
• The general risk of any business (payment for services &
perceived donations, change in mind set)
• The degree of flexibility in the village set up due to the
social interaction.
• The management of natural resources , is most important
capital for the national development, at times ignored
• Policies formulated by the government, at times limited
input at the local level ( ordinance , by laws e.g water
shade catchment, clean water supply, reduce silt in rivers )

15. Challenges
• Patenting innovation is a challenge. The
lengthy procedure
• Protecting portents by the government
• Some countries fail in implementation of
policies they formulate.
• Critical mass to support community project
and can stand by the founders of the project.
• Firm stand by the community project
developers & the business enterprises

16. Opportunities
• There are other co benefits which can complement
energy projects , e.g. water harvest at all levels
• Exploitation of other resources e.g. wind pumping (
piston system for deep water levels)
• Energy system management / keep track of the cost.
• Gold standard projects / other carbon financing
• There are grants which can come as additional to the
project. Example soil fertility gasification, biogas
system. Try UNDP small grants (US$ 50,000)
• It is easier to build on what is available than to start
new . Team work is good tool for success.

17. Opportunities
• Dialogue with the government for favorable policies
for the benefit of those in the low energy ladders
• A lot of effort should be put in modern biomass
technologies (such as wood, charcoal, bio fuels)
• The private sector can easily push for the laws but it is
better to work also with NGOs (generally good at
advocacy ) as long as there is mutual benefit.
• As long as the population is on increase and the
country is developing, the thirst for modern energy will
also increase at all levels.
• The energy should be used for income generation

18. Conclusion
• Maintain and improve on the social capital
• Create platform of communication where update on
success can be communicated and flag if there is
problem/challenges
• Learn how to engage the government, but the case of triple
helix, in all of the success stories, where taken up by the
government. The central role of entrepreneurs diminished
• The energy projects should be protected jealously for
success and continuity.
• Diversification is important , but should be controlled to
manageable level other that spreading too thin.
• One should not loss hope but share successes and failures.

19. .
•Thanks for
listening
•Asante sana