by Nurat Uthman
Uganda is currently in talks with Sinohydro Corporation Limited, a Chinese company, for the development of a $180 million power transmission line to allow Uganda export power to neighbouring South Sudan.
As part of the talks, a delegation led by Yang Yi Xin, Sinohydro Corporation’s vice president, met Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni on Monday, the office of the president said in a statement.
The project will involve the construction of a 138-km (85.75 miles) high-voltage transmission line to take power to South Sudan, the expansion of two substations and construction of a new one.
“We are very much willing to help develop this project with the required finance if needed,” Xin was quoted as telling the Ugandan leader.
Museveni pledged his support for Sinohydro’s offer to develop the project.
In June last year, Uganda and South Sudan signed a power sales agreement to boost electricity trade between the two neighbouring countries and socio-economic development in the border towns of Oraba, Elegu, Kaya and Nimule.
The Chinese firm is completing a $1.5 billion, 600 megawatt hydropower project on River Nile meant to be the source for the electricity exports to South Sudan.
Currently, the grid-based electricity situation in South Sudan is characterized by routine power outages and lack of efficiency in the distribution system.
