Sources said the two countries have secured $142.5 million in funding from the African Development Fund to finance the project

By Thomas Gumi

The governments of Uganda and South Sudan have begun construction of electricity transmission line from Karuma to Juba in South Sudan.

According to the Uganda’s Monitor newspaper, the two countries have secured $142.5 million in funding from the African Development Fund to finance the project, which is expected to be completed by 2028.

The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) confirmed that the loan agreement has been finalized and is awaiting approval from the Council of Ministers and Parliament.

“The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank approved the project on December 13, 2024, and the Ugandan component of the project will receive $120.127 million from the African Development Fund, in addition to $17.61 million, which will be paid by the government of Uganda,” said Mohammed Lubogo, spokesman for the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company.

“South Sudan will finance the remaining portion,” Lubogo added. While Uganda is expected to export up to 481.2 GWh to South Sudan in 2028, the proposed figure for the first year of operation of the electricity interconnection between the two countries, the figure will drop to 351.25 GWh in 2033.

He explained that the target for power export from the interconnection is 1,000 MW in both directions (from Uganda to South Sudan and vice versa). However, this will be determined by the power exchange agreement that is yet to be discussed between the two governments.

“While the project requires the expansion of the 400 kV Karuma substation, it also requires the upgrading of the Oluyo substation from 132/33 kV to 400/132/33 kV standard, the construction of 100 km of 33 kV lines and another 400 km of low voltage lines in Nimule (South Sudan) with a last mile connection for 1,000 consumers,” he said.

Lubogo added that Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report indicates that the project, which passes through Nwoya, Amuru and Lamu areas, will require $4.487 million to compensate approximately 860 affected households.

He noted that the project involves the demolition of 351 buildings, felling of 4,551 trees and dismantling of three community service infrastructures.

The planned project could help expand energy access and cushion citizens against the challenges of power connectivity in South Sudan.

Mid-January, the Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State, Paulino Lokede, stated that the program for the electrification of Juba had loopholes and did not follow the right path.

Obede, said the JEDCO project did not capture the interest of the citizens as it kicked off with high tariffs.

“In the Republic of South Sudan, access to electricity is only 1% of the 100% of the population. Meaning 99% of the population has no access to electricity,” he said, while delivering his remarks during the the launch of the South Sudan Energy Sector Access and Institutional Strengthening project in Juba.

“On behalf of the state government and the people in the states, let there be access to electricity for the 99% of the population,” he added.

Meanwhile, the government alongside its partners, have been exploring various avenues to make electricity access more inclusive.

This month, January 19, South Sudan launched a $ 53 million electricity access project to light the cities across the country and enhance critical infrastructure.

The Accelerating Sustainable Energy Access and Institutional Strengthening in South Sudan (ASSIST) project, funded by the World Bank and Japan, aims to power Juba, Yei in Central Equatoria State, and Malakal in Upper Nile State, marking a transformative step in the country’s energy sector.

“The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank approved the project on December 13, 2024, and the Ugandan component of the project will receive $120.127 million from the African Development Fund,” said Mohammed Lubogo, spokesman for the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company.