By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) on Tuesday February 27, 2024, launched a solar hybrid worth 2.3m pounds that will help in manufacturing HIV Vaccines.
The Executive Director Uganda Virus Research Institute , Prof. Ponsiano Kaleebu says the acquisition of a solar hybrid will address the huge electricity tarrifs that have been hampering research.
Prof. Ponsiano Kaleebu, explained that the installation of a solar hybrid facility is a great stride towards energy efficiency and will save costs of power from the grid.
“This is a big move towards a cleaner and renewable energy. Most of the diseases cropping up are due to effects of climate. The escalating electricity bills make our research expensive and that’s why we have resorted to solar energy as an alternative. Power consumption and funding is killing us and we are encouraged to go solar due to limited funds. We shall maintain the solar hybrid facility well and we intend to use it as a source of training for scientists in the field of virology,” he said.
The Unit’s Chief Finance Officer, Dr. Jonas Lexow noted that the installation of the solar hybrid facility took 2years and is hoped to promote environmental and financial sustainability.
“The beautiful planet is under stress, temperatures keep rising and climate keeps changing. We cannot be healthy unless we address sustainable development goals. We hope to have more funding for research, “Dr. Jonas stated.
The Chief operating officer London school of Hygiene and Tropical medicine, Dr. Matt Lee, revealed that the facility will go a long way to address issues of climate change, one of the biggest influencers of infectious diseases.
“Our mission is to improve health worldwide. We realised climate change is the biggest influence of infectious diseases. We want to be part of a sustainable future by addressing issues of climate change,” Dr. Matt noted.
The project engineer, Eng. Marcos Morales, said the solar hybrid facility will reduce energy expenses and will contribute to energy generation by 280 kilowatts.
The principal energy officer in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Elizabeth Kaijuka, who was the Chief Guest said government is committed to supporting sustainable solar energy and that by embracing solar energy, UVRI is setting a precedent in solar energy generation.
“The installation of a solar hybrid facility is astride towards energy efficiency and it’s a way of unveiling a greener future. I appeal to other agencies to embrace renewable sustainable energy,” Mrs. Kaijuka sounded her appeal.
