Egyptian engineers to maintain rumbek power station -official

Engineers from Egypt are expected to arrive in Rumbek in the coming days to carry out maintenance work at the town’s power station, according to the Minister of Energy and Dams, Agok Makur Kur.

The minister said the move follows discussions with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and forms part of ongoing cooperation between South Sudan and Egypt in the energy sector.

The renovated Rumbek Power Station currently generates about 3.5 megawatts and is operated under a partnership between the South Sudan Electricity Corporation and Trinity Energy, which manages metering and network expansion.

The facility was rehabilitated between 2022 and 2023 by engineers from the Egyptian Canal Company for Electricity Distribution after remaining out of service since 2011 due to conflict.

Speaking after briefing the president, Minister Makur said Egypt also plans to donate power plants to Yambio, Rumbek, and Bor towns.

“We talked to him about the donation from Egypt to three areas — Yambio, Rumbek and Bor. I also briefed him on Rumbek and spoke to the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy to come with a team to maintain the station in Rumbek. In the coming days, the team from Egypt will come to maintain the power station in Rumbek,” Makur said.

The minister further emphasized the importance of developing the Fula Dam project, describing hydropower as a long-term solution to South Sudan’s electricity challenges.

“I also briefed him about the long-term plan of the Ministry of Energy. During my recent visit to Nimule, I discussed the need for the Fula Dam to be built because this potential is very important. Hydropower is very important for South Sudan,” he added.

In March 2023, Lakes State authorities confirmed that engineers from Trinity Energy, the Egyptian Canal Company for Electricity Distribution, and SSEC tested a newly installed generator at the Rumbek power station.

Makur reiterated that the Ministry of Energy and Dams is working with partners to improve electricity reliability and expand generation capacity across the country, including through hydropower projects such as Fula Dam.