Uganda Commences $121M South Sudan Power Interconnection Project
Uganda's Ministry of Energy announced the start of the South Sudan-Uganda Power Interconnection Project (SUPIP) on Thursday, after receiving a UA 91.7 million loan from the African Development Bank. The project will connect the two countries' power grids, allowing Uganda to export excess electricity and reduce power shortages in South Sudan. Construction of the 1,200‑kilometre transmission line will create jobs and spur regional economic growth.
What Happened
The South Sudan‑Uganda Power Interconnection Project (SUPIP) officially kicked off on 12 September when Ugandan Energy Minister Dr. Peter Ogwang signed the project charter in Kampala. The initiative follows a formal loan agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) that released UA 91.7 million (about US$121 million) to fund the first phase of the 1,200‑kilometre line. Construction will begin in the northern region, with the first substation slated for the town of Moroto, a strategic location near the border. According to the Nile Post, the project will involve a 400‑kilometre high‑voltage line linking Uganda’s Manafwa substation to South Sudan’s Rumbek hub, after which a 800‑kilometre extension will carry power into the South Sudanese capital, Juba. The AfDB’s project team will oversee technical design and procurement, while Ugandan engineers will manage on‑site construction. The project is expected to deliver 400 MW of surplus power to South Sudan by 2026, a figure that could reduce the country’s reliance on costly diesel generators. This first phase also opens the door for future expansions, including a potential 500‑MW line to Kenya. The project’s launch marks a milestone in East Africa’s energy integration efforts, signalling a new era of cross‑border power trade.
Why It Matters
The interconnection is a concrete step toward regional energy security. By linking Uganda’s stable hydro‑thermal grid with South Sudan’s growing demand, the project will diversify supply sources for both nations. This diversification means fewer blackouts and a more reliable electricity supply for households and businesses. For ordinary Ugandans, the project could translate into lower electricity tariffs as surplus power is sold at market rates. It also creates construction and maintenance jobs, boosting local economies in the northern provinces.
In the broader African context, the SUPIP aligns with the African Union’s 2025 energy agenda, which aims to connect 40% of the continent’s grid. The project demonstrates that large‑scale cross‑border infrastructure can be financed through multilateral lenders like the AfDB, encouraging similar ventures in other regions.
Moreover, the project sets a precedent for using renewable energy assets to support developing economies. Uganda’s hydropower plants will feed clean electricity into South Sudan, reducing the latter’s carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels. This shift supports both climate goals and economic resilience, offering a model that could be replicated across the Great Lakes region.
“"The loan from the AfDB is a vote of confidence in our commitment”
Despite its name, the "South Sudan‑Uganda Power Interconnection" will initially transmit more electricity from Uganda to South Sudan than the total combined output of all South Sudanese generators today.
