Implementation of Mini-Grid Systems to Boost Electricity Demand: A Case of Innovative Aspects of Utilities 2.0 Project in Kiwumu Village, Mukono District
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Date
2024-11-01
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Makerere University Business School
Abstract
Mini grids play a fundamental role in Uganda’s electrification agenda to improve electricity access in areas underserved or even not served by the national grid especially when exploring the potential of electricity demand in such areas before extending the grid. This study aimed to explore how the Utilities 2.0 project was implemented and how the innovative features of the model translate into boosting electricity demand in resource-constrained settings. More so, it utilized the stakeholders’ theory to understand the roles and contribution of the implementing partners as well the community people and authorities and the neoclassical consumer theory of demand to explain the relationship between electricity demand and productive use of electricity and other influencing factors. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches to explain how the project was implemented, the influence of productive use of electricity on demand for electricity as well as the community perspectives on the project.
This study noted that a mix of centralized and decentralized models were used when implementing this Utilities 2.0 project through a consortium of organizations playing different complementing roles. The results further showed that productive use of electricity has a significant effect on electricity demand. Additionally, the results established that household size and appliance ownership are also important in inducing electricity demand. Nonetheless, findings on the community perspectives established that the community people found the electricity from the project affordable, the services were up to the satisfactory quality and most importantly the project spearheaded the socioeconomic development in the area improving education, business sales, security and other activities
The study recommends that government and its partners should incorporate activities that promote productive use of electricity in the designing phases of mini grids and as well engage with the communities where these mini grids are implemented in order to achieve significant and a long-lasting impact through ensuring sustainability. Future research about the same concept should consider comparative studies to compare two or more projects to obtain optimal implementing procedures as this study only focused on one mini grid project which limits generalization of findings to other mini grids and how they are implemented and managed
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This is a master's thesis.
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Namono, W. M. (2024) Implementation of Mini-Grid Systems to Boost Electricity Demand: A Case of Innovative Aspects of Utilities 2.0 Project in Kiwumu Village, Mukono District. (Unpublished master's dissertation). Makerere University Business School, Kampala, Uganda.