Juba set to receive Karuma hydropower by late 2026, says Energy Minister

South Sudan is on track to import electricity from Uganda’s Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station by the end of this year or early next year, according to the Minister of Energy and Dams, Agok Makur.

Speaking on the Sundown show on Monday, Minister Makur confirmed that transmission infrastructure is advancing to connect the Karuma hydro project through Nimule directly into Juba.

A central distribution hub has already been erected at Nesitu in Central Equatoria State to route the incoming power across the region.

“The power plant project is progressing at Karuma in Uganda. As some of you may recall, I travelled to the border to assess the source of this power. The electricity is being transmitted from Karuma, passing through Nimule to Juba,” Makur stated.

“We have also constructed a substation in Nesitu, Central Equatoria State, which will manage all the power coming from Karuma. From this substation in Nesitu, the power supply to various states will begin. Good news about this development is expected before the end of this year or early next year.”

While cross-border energy imports offer an immediate fix for urban power shortages, the minister stressed that buying electricity from neighbors remains a temporary bridge.

The government’s primary long-term objective remains the construction of the Fulla Dam in Nimule, Eastern Equatoria State, which would grant the nation self-sustaining hydroelectric capacity.

“Fulla Dam continues to be our priority. During my briefing to the President, I reminded him of this initiative,” Makur added.

“I told the President that we have significant potential, and this potential should be harnessed to develop our own dams. If I shared this vision with the President, there’s nothing stopping me from sharing it with the public.”

Despite vast natural energy potential along the Nile, South Sudan continues to face severe energy poverty, with official estimates indicating that only about 7% of the population currently has access to the national grid.