The power sector in Uganda has increased steadily, focusing majorly on rural electrification to increase the proportion of the rural population accessing electricity using grid extension and isolated mini-grid approaches. Hydropower mini-grids implemented in rural communities have issues regarding system failures leading to shutdowns and load shedding. A study on an existing isolated hydropower mini-grid was made to find the possible causes. A review of published articles and reports, and an analysis of enrollment patterns, energy sales, and load demand was carried out. A field survey with a guided questionnaire to collect information about real energy demand data was carried out. The performance of the system was accomplished through simulation using HOMER pro × 64 software. The findings from the study show a reduction in customer enrollment, a reduction in energy sales, and a reasonable number of system shutdowns. Hybridization of the existing hydropower was modeled with different options. The hybrid system proposed indicates that, when implemented, it would reduce fuel consumption from 222 to 23.2 L/day and emissions from 82.5 to 8.3 kg/year on average and increases system reliability. Simulated values of NPC, LCOE, and operating costs are appreciable. Despite mini-grid shortfalls, there is notably improved livelihood due to improved social and economic services.

The provision of electricity in rural areas has been an outstanding need in trying to achieve the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030. However, most sub-Saharan countries have found this difficult due to financial constraints. Uganda tried to increase rural electrification to more than 20% of its population by 2020 through Rural Electrification Agency programmes. In an attempt to realise SDGs and the National Vision by 2040, Uganda is investing more in renewable energy sources, especially solar photovoltaic mini-grids to ensure that rural areas access affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy. This paper assesses the operation, causes of failure, causes of discomfort for mini-grid connected customers, and customer behavior of two solar photovoltaic mini-grids located in Kyenjojo District in western Uganda. It was found that the current energy demand exceeds the generation supply and that the systems need phase upgrades and clustering to remain economically viable and sustainable. The methodology involved re-sizing the existing load demand of the connected users, well-designed and administered questionnaires, analysis of published literature, review of the existing records, and interviews. Analysis was done in an Excel software program. The paper concludes by identifying the benefits and challenges of solar photovoltaic mini-grids in Kyenjojo District.

During the last two decades, there has been an outcry on how the shortage of power in rural areas can be sorted. Most Developed Countries (MDCs) like the USA, China, German, UK, Taiwan, and Singapore started using renewable energy sources to minimize power shortages in rural areas. Less Developed Countries (LDCs) mostly African countries also followed suit. This was not only to solve the power problem but also to be on the safe side after researches anticipated that in the near future, fossil fuels would be depleted. Over 50 years ago, several countries have attempted to harness power using hydro-power, biomass, solar, tidal, wave thermal, and wind energies. Different researches show that hydro-power has been most developed worldwide due to high levels of investment. Of recent, solar and biomass energies have come on board steadily, gaining trust from people. This still has benefited towns' more than rural areas due to transmission barriers, expected financial returns, and high cost of maintenance. Recently, there has been encouragement and development of solar PV systems and the utilization of mini-grids for rural electrification to minimize the challenge, especially in African countries. International Energy Agency (IEA) has high expectations in mini-grids in playing a significant role in rural electrification. Mini-grid energy solutions are emerging as the next best alternative to rural electricity access coming between the option of large-scale grid extension and solar home systems. This paper, therefore, has discussed the status, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) strategies, financing options, risk management systems and current trends in renewable energy mini-grid development in Africa and beyond in an attempt to enhance rural electrification. This research used secondary data, internet resources, published data, and World Bank reports to synthesize the evolution and the update status of mini-grids.

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