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.

What happened to South Sudan's generating capacity?

Plans to expand the nation’s generating capacity were swiftly shelved. South Sudan had negotiated an agreement with the Norwegian government to build a 43-megawatt hydroelectric dam, but once the war broke out, Norway redirected its funding toward humanitarian aid.

Is South Sudan adding its own generation?

At the same time, the young country is adding its own generation. Late last year, Ezra Group opened a 33-megawatt oil-fired power plant, which will use scrubbers to reduce air pollution. The Eritrean firm says it plans to build 100 total megawatts of fossil fuel capacity in South Sudan by 2021, at a cost of nearly $290 million.

Where are South Sudan's new investments coming from?

Most of the new investment has focused in and around Juba—the nation’s capital and largest city, with some 403,000 residents. “There’s a lot of wealth that is coming with the peace now,” said Jacob M. Deng, director of planning and projects for South Sudan Electricity Corporation, the nation’s sole electric utility.

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.)