Overview:
Uganda-South Sudan 400kV power line project delayed to 2028 due to funding issues. Read more on the $302 million project's impact on East Africa's energy landscape
A crucial transmission line project connecting Uganda and South Sudan has hit another snag, with funding issues pushing its completion date to 2028.
The 400kV power line, initially slated for completion in 2020, aims to link Olwiyo in Uganda to Juba in South Sudan. The project, part of the East African Power Pool agreement, has been beset by six-year delays.
South Sudan, reliant on expensive heavy oil fuel, faces continued power outages, reliability issues, and high tariffs. Uganda, having invested $291 million in hydropower dams, struggles with excess power due to limited transmission infrastructure.
“The financing package is being finalized,” said Irene Batebe, Uganda’s Energy Permanent Secretary.
The project’s estimated cost is $302 million, with 138km of the line in South Sudan and 170km in Uganda. Substations at Juba, Olwiyo, and Bibia will be upgraded to 400kV.
South Sudan’s installed capacity stands at 103MW, but only 76.5MW is operational, according to the World Bank.
Uganda’s Electricity Transmission Company Limited expects African Development Bank (AfDB) and government financing agreements to conclude by September 2025. The engineering procurement and construction contract is anticipated by March 2026.
The AfDB and European Union have provided substantial financial backing. Sinohydro Corporation Ltd, a Chinese firm, has also expressed interest in investing in the transmission line.
Key Facts:
- Project completion delayed to 2028
- Estimated cost: $302 million
- 138km of line in South Sudan, 170km in Uganda
- Substations to be upgraded to 400kV
- South Sudan’s installed capacity: 103MW
- Uganda’s excess power struggles due to limited transmission infrastructure