By Otto Abut
The Minister of Energy and Dams, Hon. Agok Makur Kur Agok, on Thursday announced plans to officially commission a new power plant in Rumbek town in the coming months, as he toured key power generation facilities operated by Ezra Group of Companies in Juba.
Accompanied by a technical team from the Directorate of Engineering and Grid Operation, the minister conducted an extensive inspection of Ezra Group’s infrastructure, including generator and control rooms, substations, outgoing feeders, battery and energy storage systems, workshops and spare parts units, a solar PV plant, refinery facilities, pole manufacturing plant, and barge workshops and operational barges.
The visit was aimed at assessing the company’s operational capacity, the state of electricity infrastructure, and ongoing efforts to improve power generation, distribution, and renewable energy integration in the capital.
Speaking during the tour, Minister Agok said the inspection forms part of both his short-term and long-term plans since assuming office.
“Today I came to visit the Ezra Group because I am the new Minister of Energy and Dams and I have a plan. We have a short plan and also a long plan. In the short plan, I will continue visiting this area and other parts of South Sudan,” he said.
In a major announcement, the minister revealed that a power plant with a capacity of approximately 2.8 to 3 megawatts is ready for operation in Rumbek town and will be officially launched soon.
“In our plan, I am also going to open the power plant in Rumbek in the coming month. It is ready now to operate and will cover Rumbek town,” he added.
Minister Agok also highlighted progress in regional power connectivity, noting that electricity transmission from Uganda through Nimule is already supplying the border town and is expected to extend further toward Juba. He said the ministry is preparing to work closely with Uganda on broader power transmission projects to supply Juba and other parts of South Sudan.
Meanwhile, Ezra Group Managing Director and JEDCO Board Member, Mr. Samson Ezra, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustaining electricity supply in Juba and expanding distribution to other towns, including Rumbek, once the plant is officially commissioned.
According to Ezra Group management, the company is currently supplying 79 megawatts of electricity, with an additional 21 megawatts expected to be completed within the coming months or by next year.
Mr. Samson also emphasized the company’s strong relationship with host communities where its infrastructure is located.
“Our transmission board is situated on land given to us by two communities—the Garbo community and the Bajuru community. As a company, we respect social and corporate responsibility,” he said.
He added that Ezra Group has constructed a clinic, school, and other community facilities for the host communities, and went beyond contractual obligations by providing one agricultural tractor to each community instead of the single tractor originally required.