The Uganda-South Sudan Power Interconnection Project has received substantial financial backing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union (EU), marking an important step towards enhancing regional energy connectivity.
Engineer Jacob Manyuon Deng, the regional power program officer at Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program Coordination Unit (NELSAP-CU), the investment program of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) based in Kigali, announced that the project is progressing as planned.
“The project will be financed by AfDB and EU in two folds,” Deng stated. “South Sudan will receive 100 percent grant funding, while Uganda will benefit from a 100 percent highly concessional loan from AfDB.”
The total cost of the project, detailed in comprehensive Technical Feasibility studies and a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), is estimated at approximately USD 302 million. This funding ensures the project’s bankability, economic viability, technical feasibility, and environmental sustainability.
An AfDB appraisal mission, currently underway from 16 to 29 July will pave the way for board approval and financing agreements. The mission began in South Sudan and will proceed to Uganda and conclude with NELSAP from 28 to 29 July.
“This interconnection project will bring robust socio-economic development and create job opportunities,” Deng emphasized. “It will significantly support rural electrification programs in both Uganda and South Sudan, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.”
According to Deng, the bi-directional interconnection line will not only facilitate immediate power sharing between the two countries but also serve as a foundational element for South Sudan’s national grid as it develops its hydropower resources.
“South Sudan has long depended on diesel generators, and the development of hydropower resources is crucial to ensuring reliable power supply,” he underscored. “Encouraging interconnections with Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan will help mitigate South Sudan’s current energy challenges.”
Construction of the Uganda-South Sudan Power Interconnection Project is slated to commence in 2025, with expectations of completion within a reasonable timeframe thereafter, according to the plan.