South Sudan to commission 20-megawatt Nesitu solar power plant

JUBA – South Sudan’s government is set to commission a 20-megawatt solar power plant constructed at Nesitu in Central Equatoria state, President Salva Kiir said in his speech at the inauguration of the national parliament.

Kiir described the Nesitu project as crucial for boosting South Sudan’s energy supply.

“In regard to the provision of electricity, the government – through the ministry of energy and Dams has completed the Nesitu solar power plant which has a capacity of 20 megawatt,” Kiir said.

The government is currently working on finalizing the project before it goes operational, the president added.

Kiir also said his administration is working with the African Development Bank to conduct feasibility studies for the construction of power transmission lines from Uganda and Ethiopia to South Sudan.

“To improve the supplement on our power supply, we have sought the assistance of the African Development Bank to conduct feasibility studies on two connections – transmission lines from Uganda to South Sudan and another one from Ethiopia to South Sudan,” he said.

Once these power transmission lines are installed, the country would have enough and reliable power supply, Kiir added.

The government has previously expressed plans to invest in the 1,080-MW Grand Fula hydroelectric project proposed near the Ugandan border, but insecurity and instability have hampered its implementation.

Nhial Kuch, an economist for Uganda’s Evidence-Based Policy, said reliable power access is critical for South Sudan’s inclusive growth and sustainable development. Despite having oil and the Nile River, only 7.1% of South Sudan’s population has electricity access, Kuch noted.

“Nearly every sector of the economy requires energy to fully tap the benefits,” Kuch said.

In 2018, Eritrean firm Ezra Group inaugurated a 100-megawatt fossil fuel power plant at a cost of nearly $290 million. The government said it would repay Ezra over 17 years by charging higher electricity rates.

Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO), the capital’s main electric power supplier, was established in May 2018 as a private-public partnership between EZRA Group (52% share) and South Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC) (48% share).