South Sudan smarter grid international

Will South Sudan host a new grid-connected solar plant?

The capital of South Sudan is set to host a new 12 MWp grid-connected solar plant. The nation had just 1 MW of grid solar at the end of 2021, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), but that figure could be set to leap thanks to a project under development in Juba by Ugandan company Aptech Africa.

Is there a national grid in South Sudan?

Th ere is no national grid in South Sudan, only a series of isolated networks that serve three of the state capitals (Juba, Malakal and Wau) and Renk. Th e South Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC) has only 18.8 MW of installed capacity that is operational and it supplies these state capitals.

How many people in South Sudan have electricity?

Today, only about 1 percent of South Sudan’s 12.5 million people can access the electric grid, according to the state-run utility. Many people use rooftop solar arrays or noisy, polluting diesel generators to keep the lights on; still many more are left in the dark.

Will South Sudan build a 12 MWp solar plant in Juba?

Kampala-based developer Aptech Africa says it plans to build a 12 MWp solar plant in Juba. The capital of South Sudan is set to host a new 12 MWp grid-connected solar plant.

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'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.)