Prepaid yaka meters to be phased out by November 2024
This change is happening on a global scale and will affect all consumers on the Prepayment Metering system
Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Ruth Nankabira has revealed that by October 24,Uganda’s Electricity Consumer’s Yaka (prepaid) meters will be migrated onto the New Token Identification System to be able to continue purchasing Units for their Electricity Supply seamlessly.
She made the revelation while briefing the media about the new electricity tarrifs on January 5,2024 at the Uganda Media Centre.
“This change is happening on a global scale and will affect all consumers on the Prepayment Metering system,” she told journalists.
On May 15,2022, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda assented to the Electricity (Amendment) Act, 2022. The Amendment became effective on 14th June 2022 after being published in the Uganda Gazette Vol. CXV No. 32.
One of the benefits of the Act, according to Nankabirwa is all renewable Energy generators were to begin paying royalties to Local Governments in their respective areas of operation.
“Before the amendment, royalties were only paid by hydroelectric generation plants. I am happy to report that all Local Governments that host Renewable Energy Plants such as Hydro, Solar, and Bagasse are already receiving Royalties,” she explained.
In June 2022, the Government of Uganda amended the Electricity Act, 1999 to among others, provide for the direct purchase of electricity in bulk by a specified class or category of consumers from a generation and/or transmission licensee.
Consequently, the Electricity (Supply of Electricity in Bulk to Specified Consumers) Regulations were gazetted there by becoming effective on 30th December 2022.
The Minister noted that the regulator is fast-tracking the development of the net-metering regulations to support the rooftops and other industrial commercial power installations to exchange power with the main grid to contribute to improved reliability and security of power supply.
“Stakeholder consultations have been undertaken, and the draft regulations are now being reviewed by the office Solicitor General for clearance a head of effectiveness,” she said.
Expiring Concessions
According to Nankabirwa, the Namanve, Eskom, and PACMECS concessions expired and reverted to the government. In the near future, she said they will see the UMEME concession reverting to the government as well as other small distribution companies.
“Specifically, for the UMEME exit, we set up a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) to supervise and manage the transition process.All efforts are being made to support the UEDCL to get ready to take over the operations of the Umeme network come January 1,2025. UEDCL has been given the financial and technical support required to seamlessly receive and operate the network without any consternation.”
