The presidential directive, broadcast on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), is intended to ease the financial burden on households and businesses, promote affordability, and expand access to electricity in Juba.
A week before the order, Kiir received a detailed report from the Power Purchase Review Agreement Committee, chaired by Engineer Madhieu Acuil Mawien, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy and Dams.
According to the directive, domestic tariffs have been significantly reduced. Consumption below 100 kilowatt hours (kWh) will now cost $0.273 per kWh, down from $0.303. Usage above 100 kWh is reduced from $0.316 to $0.285 per kWh. Additionally, the $3.01 monthly service charge on single-phase connections has been cancelled.
Connection fees have also been slashed. Direct single-phase connections drop from $320.26 to $128.10, while low-voltage extension fees fall from $998.66 to $399.
Commercial users will also benefit. Business tariffs are reduced from $0.348 to $0.32 per kWh, while government institutions will now pay $0.316 per kWh, down from $0.336. For industrial consumers, tariffs fall from $0.348 to $0.32 per kWh.
The order further reduces service charges: three-phase connections drop from $5.01 to $2.00, high-current meters from $12.53 to $5.00, and direct three-phase connections from $631.33 to $252.50. Low-voltage extension fees on three-phase connections are cut from $1,309.73 to $523.90.
Beyond tariff cuts, the president also ordered a restructuring of JEDCO. Under the new arrangement, the government, through the South Sudan Electricity Corporation, will hold a controlling 60% stake, while Ezra Construction & Development Group (ECGD), the current contractor, will retain 40%.
