Uganda and South Sudan have come together to strengthen their energy ties and promote socioeconomic development in the border towns of Oraba, Elegu, Kaya, and Nimule through the signing of a crucial power sales agreement (PSA).
The power sales agreement aims to boost electrical commerce between the two neighboring nations and foster economic growth in the region. The Olwiyo substation in northern Uganda, which is already operational at 132kV, will serve as the electricity source for the 400kV Olwiyo-Juba transmission line, facilitating the distribution of power to Juba, the capital city of South Sudan.
The initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established in December 2015, focusing on developing transmission and distribution infrastructure to connect Uganda and South Sudan under the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Plan (Nelsap). To ensure effective implementation, a joint technical committee has been set up to plan and coordinate the project’s development.
As per the agreement, the priority lies in the construction of the 308 km power transmission line, with 138 km located in South Sudan and 170 km in Uganda. Additionally, the substations at Juba, Olwiyo, and Bibia (near the Elegu border post in Uganda) will undergo expansion to facilitate smooth electricity flow.
The momentous power sales agreement was officially signed in Juba on Tuesday by Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ugandan Energy Ministry, and Beck Awan Deng, the General Manager of the South Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC). This collaboration represents a significant step forward in strengthening energy ties and promoting socioeconomic progress between Uganda and South Sudan.
“Today’s signing ceremony marks the beginning of serious cooperation in power trade between Uganda and South Sudan,” energy minister Dr Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, who led the Ugandan delegation said.
Peter Marcello Jelenge, South Sudan representative, added, “We would like to see projects that benefit both the people of Uganda and South Sudan…We will take power from small towns in Uganda, such as Elegu and Oraba.”
The feasibility study, which started in March 2023 and is anticipated to be finished in February of the following year, is being carried out by a consortium made up of the Italian companies CESI S.p.A., ELC Electro Consult S.p.A., Colenco Consulting Ltd., and Colenco Consulting Ltd. of Nigeria.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has decided to donate money to South Sudan and Uganda for feasibility studies with additional funding by the AfDB.