Government has intensified efforts to promote clean energy use and efficiency with the introduction of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill, 2024.
The bill tabled before Parliament by State Minister for Energy, Hon. Sidronius Opolot on Tuesday, 04 February 2024, seeks to regulate energy consumption, curb waste and enhance the adoption of sustainable cooking technologies across the country.
According to the Bill, "currently, there are no regulations governing the manufacture, distribution, and use of clean cooking efficient technologies."
It acknowledges that traditional cooking methods reliant on inefficient fuels such as wood and charcoal contribute to indoor air pollution, deforestation, and high energy costs.
To address this, the Bill seeks to promote the development and adoption of improved cook stoves, biogas systems, electric cookers, and other clean cooking solutions.
To facilitate this transition, the proposed law includes provisions for financial incentives, subsidies and awareness campaigns to ensure the affordability and accessibility of clean cooking alternatives, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
"The national cooking strategy developed shall define specific objectives and targets for transitioning to clean and efficient cooking solutions that reduce indoor air pollution, improve health outcomes, and minimise environmental impacts," the Bill states in part.
Beyond cooking technologies, the Bill also aims to regulate energy efficiency in Uganda’s transport and building sectors. It mandates the development of fuel economy and vehicular emissions standards to promote energy-efficient vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, it supports the expansion of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and requires local governments and road authorities to establish charging stations nationwide.
The Bill introduces penalties for the sale of non-compliant appliances, failure to conduct energy audits, and obstruction of inspectors.
It empowers the Minister for Energy to designate energy consumers, set efficiency measures, and enforce minimum energy performance standards.
If enacted, the Bill will provide a regulatory framework to enhance the use of efficient cooking technologies while promoting broader energy conservation measures across households, industries, and transport.
