South Sudan has urgently appealed to Uganda for the provision of at least 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity to bolster its trade and industrialization efforts. Okasaai Opolot, Uganda’s State Minister for Energy, has directed the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL) to explore this request and address South Sudan’s significant energy deficit.
Opolot made this directive during the commissioning of the 83MW Agago-Gulu transmission line and its accompanying sub-stations in Angagura Town Council, Pader District. Reflecting on his recent trip to South Sudan, Opolot emphasized the critical need for electricity in the neighboring country. He highlighted the proposed construction of a transmission line from Olwiyo in Nwoya District to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, as a priority project.
“South Sudan urgently requires 100MW of electricity. They rely on us as their primary source of electricity,” Opolot stated, underscoring the potential for Uganda to address South Sudan’s energy needs and enhance bilateral trade relations.
Opolot further emphasized Uganda’s vision to not only strengthen its domestic electricity infrastructure but also participate in the regional Power Pool Market to trade surplus electricity. With Uganda’s current generation capacity exceeding 2,000MW, Opolot outlined ongoing transmission projects aimed at providing reliable power across the country, scheduled for completion between 2024 and 2026.
In line with efforts to promote local consumption, Opolot encouraged leaders to establish enterprises capable of utilizing the available power resources. He also highlighted the government’s initiative to provide free electricity connections to domestic users, industries, mines, and institutions, supported by a $638 million grant from the World Bank.
Meanwhile, Uganda recently secured a Euros 24.5 million grant from the European Union to implement gate access mini-grid projects in various regions, including Palorinya (West Nile), Wakiso, Buvuma East, Buvuma West, and the Lake Albert shores. Joshua Karamagi, CEO of UETCL, emphasized the completion of the Gulu-Agago transmission line project as a significant milestone in meeting the country’s growing energy demands while prioritizing environmental sustainability.
The project aims to evacuate power from the Achwa Hydro Power Plant, forming part of a broader power corridor intended to extend electricity supply to the West Nile Sub-region through the Gulu-Olwiyo-Nebbi-Arua transmission line. Karamagi noted that the Achwa-Gulu-Agago transmission line was energized on November 18, 2023, after 18 months of construction work.
