Cash-strapped South Sudan is banking on international companies investing in several hydropower plants that it plans to build in an effort to tackle the country’s severe energy deficit.
The newest African State, which depends entirely on expensive diesel stations for electricity generation in a few parts of the country, intends to invest in at least ten small hydropower plants and has identified potential sites along the Nile river as well as on other rivers.
But, as the country is experiencing a cash squeeze after halting oil production early last year owing to a dispute with neighbouring Sudan, it is hoping international partners will come to its aid.
The call for help is attracting positive responses after the Norwegian government announced it would help South Sudan to construct a 42 MW hydropower plant.
According to Fula Rapids Power Company, the $100-million plant will be constructed at the Fula Rapids site, near Nimule, and will be financed as a public–private partnership by the Norwegian and South Sudanese governments. Additional financing is to come from international development finance insti-tutions.
The project will also involve the con-struction of a 150 km 132 kV transmission line from the plant to Juba, the capital city.
South Sudan, which depends almost entirely on oil production for State revenue, has developed an ambitious programme aimed at connecting over 70% of the population to the electricity grid by 2020. Currently, less than 1% of the estimated eight-million population has access to electricity.