By Matik Kueth
The South Sudanese government aims to electrify 80% of Juba by 2025. During a recent tour of the Ezra Power Plant in Kondokoro, Undersecretary Lam Tunguar emphasized the government’s commitment to affordable, reliable energy in Juba and its surroundings, alongside partnerships to reduce costs. This initiative is seen as crucial for attracting local and foreign investment in South Sudan.
Tunguar added, “Electricity is a human right, and we are always mandated as a ministry to ensure that every surplus megawatt that is here in Ezra must be utilized. That is my objective, and that is the objective of my minister in the Energy and Dam Ministry.”
He emphasized that engineers must apply due caution since the procedure incorporates technological factors.
“This is exactly one of the processes that we are working on in reductions of the tariffs of the electricity in Juba and the vicinity,” he said.
According to him, the Ministry of Energy and Dams is looking into projects outside of Juba.
“The planned expansions include the 20-megawatt solar power facility in Nesitu, a power project in Wau in Western Bahr El-Ghazal, and efforts in Yei River County in Central Equatoria State,” he explained.
He noted that the initiative aims to reduce energy costs and increase economic growth by bringing dependable electricity to administrative districts.
“Our clear directive from the President is to ensure that all the people are connected. The community must know where their power is coming from, and we are committed to ensuring that Ezra’s capacity, alongside other projects, will enable us to electrify Juba and beyond,” Tunguar stressed.
The government’s initiative and collaboration with energy stakeholders herald a new era for South Sudan’s infrastructure, one propelled by strategic development and sustainable energy initiatives to improve the standard of living for its people and establish the nation as a desirable location for investors.
Kondokoro’s 20-megawatt solar power facility is nearing completion with 99 percent of its structures already in place. As renewable energy continues to gain popularity around the world, this plant and another renewable energy project in Nesitu promise a more ecologically friendly method of producing electricity.