University of Southampton – Installation of two mini-grids with 13.5 kWp capacity each (Uganda)

The University of Southampton installed two 13.5 kWp PV-battery mini-grids in rural Uganda to replace kerosene and diesel power. While the project successfully connected over 144 businesses, two health centres, and two schools, rapid demand growth eventually exceeded design capacity, leading to battery failure and blackouts. Future upgrades involving lithium-ion batteries and diesel backup are planned in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

• The project installed two PV-battery mini-grids with a capacity of 13.5 kWp each in the villages of Kyamugarura and Kanyegaramire, where residents previously relied on kerosene lamps and diesel generators. The power plants cost approximately 4,120 EUR each to install and commission, with the distribution network funded by a government rural electrification agency.
• The mini-grids provided energy access to two schools, two health centres, and over 144 businesses since 2015, creating six full-time and two temporary jobs. However, electricity demand grew rapidly, exceeding the initial design capacity of 28 kWh/d per village, which was driven by a low regulated grid-parity tariff and the use of inefficient security lighting.
• System overloading and battery failure eventually caused blackouts, necessitating plans for upgrades that include lithium-ion batteries and diesel backup to increase resilience. Additionally, the project is collaborating with the REA to assess the potential for a cluster of mini-grids in neighbouring villages.

APA

Alliance for Renewable Electrification (2022). University of Southampton – Installation of two mini-grids with 13.5 kWp capacity each (Uganda). https://renewelec.org/case-study/university-southampton-installation-two-mini-grids-135-kwp-capacity-each-uganda/

Chicago

Alliance for Renewable Electrification. University of Southampton – Installation of two mini-grids with 13.5 kWp capacity each (Uganda). 2022. https://renewelec.org/case-study/university-southampton-installation-two-mini-grids-135-kwp-capacity-each-uganda/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Alliance for Renewable Electrification |title=University of Southampton – Installation of two mini-grids with 13.5 kWp capacity each (Uganda) |date=13 August 2022 |url=https://renewelec.org/case-study/university-southampton-installation-two-mini-grids-135-kwp-capacity-each-uganda/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{allianceforrenewableelectrification2022university, author = {{Alliance for Renewable Electrification}}, title = {{University of Southampton – Installation of two mini-grids with 13.5 kWp capacity each (Uganda)}}, institution = {Alliance for Renewable Electrification}, year = {2022}, month = aug, url = {https://renewelec.org/case-study/university-southampton-installation-two-mini-grids-135-kwp-capacity-each-uganda/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }