Sinohydro of China and Uganda are negotiating a power connection to South Sudan

According to the president’s office, Uganda is in negotiations with Sinohydro (SINOH.UL) Corporation Limited, a Chinese company, to build a $180 million power transmission line that would enable Uganda to export electricity to South Sudan, which is severely short of energy.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni received a group led by Vice President of Sinohydro Corporation Yang Yi Xin on Monday as part of the negotiations, according to a statement released late on Monday by Museveni’s office.

In order to provide power to South Sudan, the project will entail building a 138-kilometer (85.75-mile) high-voltage transmission line, expanding two existing substations, and building a new one.

Xin was cited as saying to the president, “We are very much willing to help develop this project with the required finance if needed.”
According to the statement, Museveni endorsed Sinohydro’s bid to carry out the project.

Uganda and South Sudan inked a power sales deal in June of last year, enabling Uganda to sell electricity to South Sudan.

The Chinese company is finishing up a $1.5 billion, 600-megawatt hydropower project on the northern Ugandan Nile that will provide South Sudan with electricity.