The Inclusive Markets for Energy Efficiency in Uganda Phase II (IMEU-II)

Earth Partners carried out investment-grade energy audits at commercial and institutional facilities in Uganda for SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, identifying direct cost reduction opportunities of 20–40%.

Key Facts

• Large commercial and institutional facilities could waste 20–40% of their energy through inefficiencies they did not see.

• Common causes included oversized transformers, poor power factor, underperforming HVAC systems and peak demand mismanagement.

• Without a detailed audit, facilities operated blind, unable to tell where energy was lost or what to fix first.

• The audits covered commercial and institutional facilities across Uganda.

Focus on Hidden Energy Losses

The audits followed ISO 50002 for investment-grade energy audits. We measured demand profiles, power factor, harmonic distortion and load imbalances, located heat losses in HVAC systems and insulation, checked lighting levels and controls, and assessed transformer and motor losses.

Alignment with Broader Goals

The audits were commissioned by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, which works across Africa and Asia to drive sustainable development, energy access and climate resilience in emerging markets.

Our Approach

• Power quality analysis: Measured demand profiles, power factor, harmonic distortion and load imbalances.

• Thermal imaging: Identified heat losses in HVAC systems, insulation failures and equipment inefficiencies.

• Lighting audit: Assessed lux levels, fixture efficiency and control systems.

• Transformer and motor assessment: Calculated efficiency losses and the impact of ageing.

• Financial modelling: Prepared NPV, IRR and payback analysis for retrofit options.

Key Project Objectives

• Find hidden losses: Identified where large facilities lost energy without noticing.

• Quantify savings: Identified direct cost reduction opportunities of 20–40%.

• Make the business case: Turned audit findings into retrofit options with NPV, IRR and payback analysis.

Focus Areas

Demand and power quality, HVAC and insulation, lighting, transformers and motors, and financial analysis of retrofit options.

Tools and Methods

Power quality analyzers, thermal cameras, lux meters and data logging systems for 24- to 48-hour consumption baselines.

Project Rollout

The audits were carried out in 2026.