Some of the solar panels at St. Agnes Primary School. The Ugshs418m initiative aligns with Uganda’s energy strategy, which emphasises renewable sources. PHOTO | PROMISE TWINAMUKYE
For St. Agnes Nursery and Primary school, installing solar energy in the school a few months ago was not just a technological addition but a game-changer, and a path toward a more sustainable and accessible energy source.
As an innovative proposal from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) through the Program on integrated local finances for sustainable urban development (PIFUD), a programme funded by European Union, it envisioned a solution that could alleviate the overwhelming burden of electricity costs faced by schools like St. Agnes.
Solar energy, they suggested, could replace costly, often unreliable power and offer a stable, renewable alternative.
The school’s budget, according to Sister Mary Jane Francis Nassali, the head teacher of the school, had been stretched thin, with electricity costs limiting educational programs.
The installation – worth Shs418 Million - carried out by Green Power international limited, a solar energy and borehole drilling company in Uganda, had already begun showing a transformation within months. What once cost the school about Shs1.25 million in electricity bills has now dropped to Shs400, 000, freeing funds to reinvest in the students’ needs.
“As an administrator, I no longer have to worry about frequent power cuts. With a reliant power supply, and for the first time in a long time, I could focus more on the students’ well-being,” she says.
She reveals that previously, sudden blackouts would cause learners to scatter in fright, stumbling around in the dark, sometimes injuring themselves in the chaos. Today, St. Agnes is lit safely through the night.
Solar, easy to manage
While the 94-year-old school was still using hydroelectric power, Sr. Nassali recalls the days they relied on a generator during outages, hiring an employee solely to operate it.
With the solar system in place, the school, which has 920 students, is self-reliant.
“We can now manage our own energy, without having to call in assistance every time something small happens. The team from Green Power Company equipped us with a user manual that explains each potential error in detail. If the system emits a warning noise, we can check the display for an error code, consult the guide, and often resolve the issue independently,” she says.
The solar installation
According to Benjamin Baluku, project manager at Green Power International Limited, a robust 23.4 kW peak solar system was installed in the school about half a year ago and provides consistent power to girls’ dormitories and the computer laboratory.
“Our systems integrate the latest technology, including advanced solar panels, efficient inverters, and powerful lithium batteries. We believe this setup will last for years, thanks to our commitment to quality. Beyond school installations, we are also illuminating streets along Entebbe Road, delivering reliable and environmentally conscious street lighting,” Baluku says.
