Solar Pledge East Africa:

Solar energy for schools and health facilities

Solar Pledge East Africa (SPEA) is a joint project launched in June 2024 by the Archdiocese of Gulu (Uganda) and the Diocese of Lodwar (Kenya). Its aim is to provide schools and health facilities with reliable solar energy – for better education, stable healthcare and greater climate justice. The programme is being implemented by horizont3000 together with financial partners such as Windkraft Simonsfeld.

(c) horizont3000

Since the project began, several important steps have already been taken:

• Establishment of structures, energy analyses and selection of 22 priority facilities (10 in Gulu, 12 in Lodwar).
• Training of 39 specialists in renewable energies and 23 technicians for the operation and maintenance of solar systems.
• Establishment of a knowledge platform with a website, digital tools and a newsletter.

To raise awareness of solar energy, SPEA focused on active public relations work: a radio campaign in Turkana (Kenya) reached thousands of people and highlighted the importance of solar energy.

Reducing costs – saving lives – expanding educational opportunities
Feedback from schools and health centres shows how urgently stable energy is needed: power cuts jeopardise medical care and prevent practical teaching. In future, solar power will not only reduce costs, but also save lives and expand educational opportunities.

Despite initial challenges in coordination and selection processes, clear structures and close coordination have created a solid foundation. The implementation phase will now begin in 2025 with the installation of the first solar systems and the development of a sustainable energy strategy.

Solar Pledge East Africa shows how we can work together to become powerful drivers of the energy transition – for more opportunities, quality of life and a climate-friendly future in East Africa.