JUBA, South Sudan (UG Standard) — A critical transmission line connecting Uganda and South Sudan has been delayed again, with funding issues pushing its completion to 2028.
The 400kV power line, initially slated for completion in 2020, aims to link Olwiyo in Uganda to Juba in South Sudan. The project, part of the East African Power Pool agreement, has faced six years of delays.
South Sudan relies heavily on expensive heavy oil fuel, resulting in frequent power outages, reliability issues, and high tariffs. Meanwhile, Uganda struggles with excess power due to limited transmission infrastructure, having invested $291 million in hydropower dams.
“The financing package is being finalized,” said Irene Batebe, Uganda’s Energy Permanent Secretary.
The estimated $302 million project includes 138km of the line in South Sudan and 170km in Uganda. Substations at Juba, Olwiyo, and Bibia will be upgraded to 400kV.
South Sudan’s installed capacity stands at 103MW, but only 76.5MW is operational, according to the World Bank.
Uganda’s Electricity Transmission Company Limited expects financing agreements with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the government to conclude by September 2025, with the engineering procurement and construction contract anticipated by March 2026.
The AfDB and European Union have provided substantial financial backing, while China’s Sinohydro Corporation Ltd has expressed interest in investing in the transmission line.
Discussion about this post