Evaluating the implication of Hybrid Solar Energy electrification on people’s livelihood: A case of Bugala Island, Kalangala District

Abstract

Global transitions to renewable energy are incrementally unfolding investment in energy infrastructure across all scales and in different communities. Given the limited access to clean energy in communities lacking hydro-power infrastructures like Bugala Island, the on-grid hybrid solar energy infrastructure has become a popular transitional approach to not only solve energy poverty issues but also provide options to address livelihood challenges. However, little has been documented about its implication on people’s livelihood. The study determined the patterns of access to hybrid solar energy electricity, examined the role of hybrid solar energy electricity on people’s livelihood and assessed the challenges associated with hybrid solar energy electricity use on Bugala Island, Kalangala District. A cross sectional survey was deployed to obtain quantitative and qualitative data. An optmized hotspot analysis, cross tabulations, Nominal Logistic Regression, Ordinal Logistic Regression, Bayesian Belief Network Model and Content Analysis were used to analyse the data. The results of an optimized hotspot analysis indicated 99% confidence (P-value <.005) on electricity access among users in Kalangala Town Council compared to Mugoye and Bujumba. NLR indicated improvement on community livelihoods (P-value <0.005), particularly on education, health, wellbeing and uptake of information through phones, TVs and radios. Several income generating activities have emerged including metal fabrications, salons, factories among other enriching employability of people in communities through job creation and innovative enterprises development networks, resulting in a general increase in subsistence income. Despite the positive livelihood outcomes of the hybrid solar energy electricity, the cost of electricity, damage of electrical appliances, low voltage, load shedding and lack of adequate electricians manifest as the most significant challenges of hybrid solar energy electricity uptake on Bugala Island (P-values <0.005), BBN Sensitivity (0.72%). It is recommended that addressing low electrification rates, reducing Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions and achieving Sustainable Development Goals for livelihood sustenance requires the intensification of solar energy electricity connectivity amongst the most energy poor communities on the island.