- South Sudan has made a formal request to Uganda for the supply of at least 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
- Opolot stated that South Sudan represents a substantial market for Uganda’s surplus electricity
South Sudan has made a formal request to Uganda for the supply of at least 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The request was made during a recent meeting where Uganda’s State Minister for Energy, Okasaai Opolot, directed the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL) to explore the possibility of fulfilling this request.
South Sudan’s significant energy deficit has prompted this urgent appeal to Uganda. Opolot conveyed the request while speaking at the commissioning of the 83MW Agago-Gulu transmission line and associated substations in Angagura Town Council, Pader District.
He highlighted the necessity of constructing a transmission line from Olwiyo in Nwoya District to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, emphasizing its importance as a priority project to address the energy needs of South Sudanese citizens.
Opolot stated that South Sudan represents a substantial market for Uganda’s surplus electricity. He emphasized the need to expedite measures to bridge the energy gap in South Sudan, recognizing Uganda’s pivotal role in achieving this objective.
Opolot outlined Uganda’s vision to enhance domestic transmission infrastructure and participate in the Power Pool Market, facilitating the trade of excess electricity generated within the region. Uganda’s current generation capacity exceeds 2,000MW, marking significant progress from 380MW in 2005.
Various transmission projects are underway to ensure reliable power distribution across the country, with completion anticipated between 2024 and 2026. Joshua Karamagi, the CEO of UETCL, emphasised the recently commissioned Gulu-Agago transmission line and associated substations represent a critical step in facilitating the evacuation of power from the Achwa Hydro Power Plant and extending electricity to regions like West Nile through strategic transmission corridors.
He noted that completing the Achwa-Gulu-Agago transmission line project within 18 months reflects the country’s commitment to meeting energy demands while embracing environmentally conscious practices.