DUBAI: Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of the Republic of Uganda, said that the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) succeeded in uniting the voices of African countries and gave them opportunities to play a proactive role in climate action.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of COP28, Dr. Nankabirwa praised efforts to hear all parties, communities, and countries, including African countries, and give them opportunities to negotiate, lauding decisions to address the issues of African countries, especially those related to the gradual phase-out of fossil fuel use and the protection of green spaces.
She added that Uganda announced the launch of a national energy transition plan during COP28, noting that the plan aims to protect forests and green spaces by transitioning to “clean cooking” using low-carbon technologies.
The minister explained the importance of setting policies for agricultural practices in Uganda to prevent deforestation and p
romote environmental conservation, ensuring that clean electricity is produced and delivered, with the generation capacity to be increased from 2,000 megawatts (MW) to over 52,000 MW by 2040.
Dr. Nankabirwa noted Uganda’s energy mix and resource utilisation are eco-friendly, and include hydroelectric, solar and wind energy projects, in addition to having the potential to produce thermal and nuclear energy, adding that her country is seeking to raise renewable energy production from 58 to 80 percent by 2025 and to 100 percent by 2030.
Source: Emirates News Agency