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

A case study on the installation of two 13.5 kWp solar mini-grids in Kyamugarura and Kanyegaramire, Uganda, by the University of Southampton's Energy for Development (e4D) Programme. The project provided electricity to over 144 businesses, two health centres, and two schools starting in 2015, though rapid demand growth eventually exceeded design capacity, leading to planned upgrades.

• The University of Southampton's Energy for Development (e4D) Programme installed two mini-grids with a capacity of 13.5 kWp each in the villages of Kyamugarura and Kanyegaramire, Uganda. The power plants cost approximately 4,120 EUR for the PV system, balance of system, protection, and batteries, with the distribution network funded by a government rural electrification agency.
• Since 2015, the mini-grids have connected two schools, two health centres, and over 144 businesses, enabling the use of refrigeration, electronic devices, battery charging, and lighting. The project also created two temporary and six full-time jobs.
• Initial electricity demand was approximately 6.5 kWh/d, but it grew rapidly to exceed the design capacity of 28 kWh/d per village, driven by a low regulated grid-parity tariff and inefficient security lighting. This growth led to battery failure and blackouts, prompting planned upgrades with REA to include lithium-ion batteries and diesel backup.

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} }