ENGIE Equatorial – E-outboards for fishermen on Lake Victoria (Uganda)

This case study describes an e-mobility pilot by ENGIE Equatorial on Lolwe Island, Uganda, which deployed 15 electric outboards for fishermen on Lake Victoria to replace internal combustion engines. The project, co-funded by the IKEA Foundation and UK Aid, evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of electric fishing boats, noting significant potential for reducing operational costs and CO2 emissions despite challenges with equipment durability and battery handling.

• ENGIE Equatorial deployed 15 boats equipped with electric outboards and Li-ion battery banks on Lake Victoria to test the technical and economic feasibility of replacing polluting Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). The observed maximum operating range for these vehicles is between 20-45 km, varying based on weather conditions, loading, and speed.
• The project estimates significant environmental and economic benefits, including a reduction in operational costs for fishermen by 20-60%. Annual gasoline savings per boat are estimated between 1,628 and 2,750 l, with total CO2 emissions savings estimated between 57 and 96 t per year.
• Technical challenges include high equipment costs and the susceptibility of outboards and accessories to damage due to heavy use. To mitigate this, the project replaced outboard propellers with more robust materials and emphasized community engagement on maintenance. Regarding battery-swapping models, the document recommends using battery modules weighing a maximum of 30 kg each to facilitate removal from boats at the dock.
• The e-mobility pilot is integrated with a solar hybrid mini-grid on Lolwe Island that provides power to over 3,800 households and businesses, as well as four ice machines, one fish drier, and one water purification facility. The project also created three local permanent part-time jobs focused on asset management and battery recharge.

APA

Alliance for Renewable Electrification (2023). ENGIE Equatorial – E-outboards for fishermen on Lake Victoria (Uganda). https://renewelec.org/case-study/engie-equatorial-e-outboards-fishermen-lake-victoria-uganda/

Chicago

Alliance for Renewable Electrification. ENGIE Equatorial – E-outboards for fishermen on Lake Victoria (Uganda). 2023. https://renewelec.org/case-study/engie-equatorial-e-outboards-fishermen-lake-victoria-uganda/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Alliance for Renewable Electrification |title=ENGIE Equatorial – E-outboards for fishermen on Lake Victoria (Uganda) |date=20 January 2023 |url=https://renewelec.org/case-study/engie-equatorial-e-outboards-fishermen-lake-victoria-uganda/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{allianceforrenewableelectrification2023engie, author = {{Alliance for Renewable Electrification}}, title = {{ENGIE Equatorial – E-outboards for fishermen on Lake Victoria (Uganda)}}, institution = {Alliance for Renewable Electrification}, year = {2023}, month = jan, url = {https://renewelec.org/case-study/engie-equatorial-e-outboards-fishermen-lake-victoria-uganda/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }