USAID brought electricity to two key towns in southern Sudan in February— Maridi in Western Equatoria and Kapoeta in Eastern Equatoria—as part of USAID’s effort to provide basic infrastructure to the underdeveloped and war-affected region.
Electric power in the two towns will improve community security and the ability of local merchants to conduct business; will benefit government institutions, health care facilities, and students studying after dark; and will reduce reliance on polluting energy sources such as diesel for generators and kerosene.
More than 80 percent of southern Sudan’s rural population does not have access to electricity. “We know this project will have an immense impact on promoting economic activity, enhancing security through street lighting, improving reliability of electricity to schools and clinics, and providing convenience to households,” said U.S. Consul General in Juba Ambassador R. Barrie Walkley, at the inauguration of the Kapoeta power plant with Government of Southern Sudan officials on February 4. The Maridi plant was inaugurated February 23.
Each of the two new plants can serve approximately 900 customers, and were built so that future expansion could be added. In 2008, USAID brought electricity to Yei in Central Equatoria, and helped establish southern Sudan’s first electrical cooperative.
Read more about our projects in southern Sudan.
I was in Miridi in 2008 working at the National Training Center and living in the abandoned ZOA refugee camp with two Indian police advisors. The UN Observer team was located directly behind us and served as a “security blanket” should the LRA come up from the south. I just completed a one-year tour in Afghanistan with USAID living at a police station in delaram District Nimroz province with 25 Marines, 30 ANP and the district governor. I faced some of the same challenges especially the eletrification issue. I am interested in returning to South Sudan to assist in the reconstruction and economic development. The CRC appeared to be an avenue but I found out that the reserve is only for current government employees. How do I proceed as I feel very strongly about assisting the South Sudanese. I did a tour in Iraq in 2007 with DoD so I am comfortable in kinetic and post-kinetic environments .