Nexus Green

Nexus Green

The Nexus Green Solar-Powered Water Supply and Irrigation Systems Project is a major initiative commissioned by the Government of Uganda (GoU) through the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE). It involves Nexus Green Ltd (UK) as the contractor and is funded by UK Export Finance. This project aims to significantly enhance water access for domestic use and irrigation across Uganda.

Core Objective:

The core objective of the Nexus Green project is to increase water supply coverage countrywide for domestic use and support irrigation for improved agricultural productivity. By utilizing solar energy to power water systems, the project addresses water scarcity, mitigates drought-induced food insecurity, and contributes to Uganda’s climate resilience and food security.

Funding and Implementation:

• Funding: Primarily financed by UK Export Finance, facilitated through directives from the President of Uganda to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and MWE.
• Implementing Agencies: The Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) is the lead government agency, overseeing the project. Nexus Green Ltd (UK) is the contracted company responsible for the design, supply, manufacture, installation, and overall implementation of the solar water systems.
• Duration: The project began around 2021 and is anticipated to be completed by 2024, running over approximately three years. It involves the development of a large number of sites (initially aimed for 687, with some reports mentioning up to 920).

Project Area and Beneficiaries:

The project is implemented countrywide across Uganda, targeting numerous districts to increase water supply coverage. While specific districts for all 600+ sites are not exhaustively listed in general overviews, individual project sites mentioned include Ntenjeru sub-county (Mukono district) and Kigezi High School.

The project aims to benefit millions of Ugandans, particularly:

• Rural communities and farmers: By providing water for irrigation to boost agricultural production, which is a main source of income and employment for a significant portion of the population.
• Women and youth: These groups are often disproportionately burdened with water collection and are expected to benefit economically from increased agricultural output.
• Communities affected by water scarcity and drought: Directly addressing water access challenges.

Key Components and Activities:

The project focuses on the comprehensive development and deployment of solar-powered water systems, typically involving:

1. Site Assessment and Design:
   • Identifying suitable locations for water sources and system installation.
   • Designing integrated water supply systems, including source development, transmission pipelines, and distribution networks.
2. Solar-Powered Pumping Infrastructure:
   • Installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to generate electricity.
   • Deployment of water pumps (submersible, booster, etc.) powered by solar energy for water abstraction.
   • Construction of storage tanks for collected water.
3. Water Distribution and Irrigation Networks:
   • Setting up distribution networks to deliver water for domestic use.
   • Constructing on-farm irrigation networks to support high-value crop cultivation.
4. Turnkey Solution and Support:
   • Nexus Green provides a full turnkey solution, covering procurement, installation, commissioning, and initial maintenance.
   • Community engagement and training: Ensuring proper operation, maintenance, and safeguarding of the new water systems by local communities.
5. Quality Assurance and Monitoring:
   • Rigorous inspection and supervision of construction activities to ensure conformity to standards and quality control.
   • Ongoing monitoring of system performance.