NBI Urges South Sudan to Connect to Regional Power Grid, Boosting Electricity Access
By Deng Gai Deng
The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) has urged the government of South Sudan to support the construction of a power transmission line that will connect the country to Uganda and the regional power grid. This project will allow for the sharing of mixed energy resources and improve access to electricity in South Sudan, which currently has the lowest electrification rates in the world, with less than 7% of the population having access to electricity.
Jacob Manyuon Deng, the regional power program officer for NBI, highlighted the benefits of the project for South Sudan. The project, funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, aims to improve access to electricity and promote regional integration among the Nile Basin countries.
Deng explained that the project, known as the South Sudan-Uganda 400kV Interconnection Line Project, is in an advanced stage of detailed studies. Once constructed, this power transmission line will transport abundant hydropower from the Nile in the Equtaoria region and transmit it to the East Africa power pool.
In addition to improving access to electricity, the project will enhance the stability and security of the region by fostering cooperation through power trade among the Nile Basin countries.
Deng acknowledged that the project has faced challenges during the line survey, Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), and economic assessments due to insecurity and lack of resources in South Sudan. However, he expressed appreciation to the South Sudan National Security for granting clearance to the consulting team and providing personnel to work on the project.
Deng called on the governments of South Sudan and Uganda to allocate funds for the construction of the power transmission line and continue to deploy security forces to protect the contractors and equipment.
He emphasized the importance of the project for South Sudan, stating that the country’s current electricity capacity of 33MW through diesel private generators is insufficient to meet the needs of Juba, let alone the entire country. He urged for political support and resources to be invested in the project so that South Sudan can benefit from renewable energy sources in the region in a short time.
The project is expected to be completed by 2035, allowing South Sudan to import up to 800 megawatts of electricity from Uganda. It will also create job opportunities and stimulate economic activities in the areas where the power line will traverse.
The project involves the construction of a 400-kilovolt transmission line from Olwiyo in Uganda to Juba in South Sudan, with a total length of 392 kilometers. It also includes the construction of substations in Bibia/Elegu and Juba. The line may consider extending distribution networks in Nimule, Yei, Kaya, and Juba.
Once completed, the project will meet the current and future demand of South Sudan, which stands at 300MW, and reduce the country’s dependence on costly and environmentally unfriendly diesel generators.
The NBI is a regional intergovernmental partnership of 10 Nile Basin countries, including South Sudan and Uganda. The NBI’s investment wing, NELSAP, focuses on power and trade programs, as well as water resources management and development.
