Arabic version: أوغندا تبدأ مشروع ربط كهربائي مع جنوب السودان بقيمة 121 مليون دولار
According to Allafrica, Uganda has begun implementing the South Sudan-Uganda Power Interconnection Project after securing UA 91.7 million, equivalent to about US$121 million, from the African Development Fund for the Ugandan component.
The financing, alongside counterpart funding from the Ugandan government, will support high-voltage infrastructure connecting Uganda’s electricity grid with South Sudan. Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited and the African Development Bank Group held a technical launch for the component.
The project follows fulfilment of conditions for the financing to take effect and for Uganda’s first disbursement, as well as establishment of a Project Implementation Team. Implementation is expected to run from 2026 to 2029.
SUPIP includes about 299 kilometres of 400-kilovolt double-circuit transmission line between Olwiyo in Uganda and Juba/Gumbo in South Sudan, plus substations and supporting infrastructure. Uganda’s section covers about 150 kilometres, including a new Bibia Substation, upgrades at Olwiyo Substation and an extension of Karuma Substation.
The interconnection is intended to integrate South Sudan into the Eastern Africa Power Pool, facilitate cross-border electricity trade and allow countries to share available generation capacity. It is expected to strengthen Uganda’s northern transmission network while giving South Sudan access to more reliable and potentially lower-cost electricity than diesel-powered generation.
Next steps include mobilising a project supervision and management consultant, completing environmental and social safeguard requirements, finalising the route and procuring engineering, procurement and construction contractors. Uganda and South Sudan will coordinate cross-border procurement and implementation, while each government remains responsible for its own component.
