How much power does South Sudan need?

South Sudan’s installed power capacity is about 130 megawatts, a large chunk of which is used to supply electricity to the country’s abundant oil fields. However, the country’s power demand is about 300 megawatts, an amount that’s likely to grow during peacetime, Deng said. “We are actually thirsty [for generation],” he said.

Will South Sudan build a hydropower project near Juba?

The utility is looking for investors to build a 120-megawatt hydropower project near Juba, which could cost $490 million to construct over five years. South Sudan’s government says it also plans to invest in the 1,080-megawatt Grand Fula project proposed near the Ugandan border, though how and when it would do so is unclear.

Will South Sudan's electric sector be restored?

The work to restore South Sudan’s electric sector began in earnest in late 2018, after South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir reached a peace deal with rebel leader Riek Machar. (Earlier this year, Kiir appointed Machar as vice president.)

What happened to South Sudan's generating capacity?

Plans to expand the nation’s generating capacity were swiftly shelved. South Sudan had negotiated an agreement with the Norwegian government to build a 43-megawatt hydroelectric dam, but once the war broke out, Norway redirected its funding toward humanitarian aid.

Is South Sudan adding its own generation?

At the same time, the young country is adding its own generation. Late last year, Ezra Group opened a 33-megawatt oil-fired power plant, which will use scrubbers to reduce air pollution. The Eritrean firm says it plans to build 100 total megawatts of fossil fuel capacity in South Sudan by 2021, at a cost of nearly $290 million.