(JUBA CITY) – Electricity costs in the capital have been reduced following a tariff adjustment by the Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) now under majority government ownership. The change is expected to ease household expenses and improve the business environment, although most citizens across the country remain without access to grid power.
Under the new structure, households using less than 100 kilowatt hours per month will pay 27.3 cents per kilowatt hour, down from 30.3 cents. Those consuming more than 100 kilowatt hours will be charged 28.5 cents, down from 31.6 cents. Connection fees and monthly service charges have also been reduced.
| Category | Previous Rate | New Rate | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households up to 100 kWh | 30.3 cents/kWh | 27.3 cents/kWh | 3 cents/kWh |
| Households above 100 kWh | 31.6 cents/kWh | 28.5 cents/kWh | 3.1 cents/kWh |
The ownership of Juba Electricity Distribution Company has shifted to give the government a 60 percent stake, while Ezra Construction now holds 40 percent. This change means tariff decisions will be influenced more by public policy than purely commercial considerations.
For families using small amounts of electricity, the saving could free up several thousand South Sudanese Pounds every month. A household consuming 100 kilowatt hours would now save roughly 3,000 SSP, equal to around 0.42 US Dollars, compared with previous charges. Lower entry costs may also encourage more residents to apply for grid connections.
Businesses, especially small traders using refrigeration, welding machines or workshop tools, are likely to benefit from slightly reduced running costs. Investors have often cited high electricity prices as a major barrier to expansion in Juba. If the lower tariffs are matched by reliable supply, confidence in the capital’s business environment may improve.
For the government, assuming control of the utility allows it to steer future pricing and invest directly in power infrastructure. Although the reduced tariffs will lower short term revenue, officials expect this to be balanced by better payment collection and wider economic activity.
However, major challenges remain. Only 7 percent of South Sudan’s population is connected to the electricity grid. Rural areas continue to depend on diesel generators, solar panels or firewood and charcoal. Generation capacity in Juba is still limited, relying on a mix of hydro power and diesel stations.
Maintaining lower prices while covering costs will be difficult unless efficiency improves. Some industry observers warn that government control, although helpful for coordination, may expose JEDCO to political interference or slow decision making.
If linked with fresh investment, the tariff cut could encourage more users to join the grid. South Sudan has considerable potential for hydro, solar and geothermal development. Some analysts say the reform could form part of a wider strategy to diversify energy supply. There is also interest in importing excess power from neighbouring countries such as Ethiopia and Uganda to stabilise local prices.
For now, the government has delivered a popular measure that improves affordability for those already connected. The bigger test will be whether tariff reform helps speed up network expansion, attract investment in renewable sources and extend access beyond Juba.
Malek Deng Arop
