Русский
Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin has held a series of meetings with senior officials from South Sudan in the course of which they discussed a wide range of issues concerning bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, the Russian Energy Ministry has stated.
The talks were attended by South Sudan’s senior presidential envoy for special programs Adut Salva Kiir, Presidential Affairs Minister Africano Mande Gedima, Deputy Petroleum Minister Santino Ayuel Longar, and Energy and Dams Minister Agok Makur Kur. On the Russian side, representatives of the country’s largest energy companies took part in the meetings.
They discussed “mutual interest in projects to develop oil fields and mine other types of mineral resources” and noted that “Russian companies have the necessary experience to implement such projects.”
Marshavin also drew attention to the potential to develop energy infrastructure given South Sudan’s current level of electrification. A proposal was made to consider preparing a comprehensive plan to develop electric power for the construction of the necessary infrastructure. A specialized Russian organization could offer specific services in this area, including forecasting, automatic mode control, and emergency control systems.
Particular attention was devoted to hydropower projects. Russian companies confirmed their interest in providing engineering consulting services and supplying equipment for the construction of new hydropower plants with various capacities.
They also discussed the possibility of building a small thermal power plant using diesel generator units. It was noted that Russian companies can offer suitable compact and scalable solutions that ensure a quick return on investment. Both parties also expressed interest in cooperation on renewable energy, including the construction and servicing of generating facilities and the introduction of innovative solutions to increase energy efficiency.
South Sudan’s economy is largely dependent on its oil and gas industry, with crude petroleum accounting for about 90% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. However, the sector has faced significant challenges, including geopolitical issues and infrastructure constraints. The government is working to repair and resume oil pipeline operations, which are essential to the nation’s economic stability.
Additionally, South Sudan is rich in mineral resources, especially gold, and is the third-largest producer of gold in Africa, with annual production nearing 30 tons. The country’s manufacturing sector includes oil refining, cement production, and chemical fertilizers, although many factories are underutilized.
