The Bahr el Jebel Hydropower Cascade is a strategic multi-dam development program planned along the Bahr el Jebel River in South Sudan, comprising four major hydropower sites (with a potential fifth near Juba). The cascade is designed to harness the significant elevation drop along the river to deliver an estimated total installed capacity of approximately 2,100 MW, positioning it as one of the most cost-effective hydropower development opportunities in the region.
A cascade of four (five if an additional option near Juba is included) dams has been planned on Bahr el Jebel in South Sudan. From upstream to downstream the dams are the Grand Fula Dam whose large reservoir would extend up into Uganda, Shukoli, Lakki, and Bedden (and Juba further downstream). An alternative configuration would be the replacement of the Grand Fula Dam with a smaller run-or-river project - "Fula Rapids". Design studies have been carried out for Bedden (included in the NRBIP as BIP_NELSAP_005.
These dams aim to harness the 250 m drop in elevation along the Bahr el Jabel river over the four sites. The total installed capacity of the four dams would be in the order of 2,100MW. The cascade is considered to be one of the most cost-effective hydropower projects in the region.
Phasing of the four projects can reflect different priorities. An early study (1985) favoured Lakki since it was relatively closer to Juba, but the 2009 pre-feasibility study proposed development in order from upstream to downstream. At this stage Bedden Dam is the only one of the dams developed to design level. The final choice will have to choose between Juba-focused early deployment and a system-level cascade maximizing overall generation and grid efficiency.
The objective of this study is to look at sequencing options and all other preparatory consideration to prepare the way for an optimized implementation of the proposed cascade.
The proposed work will comprise a combination of technical and economic analyses and extensive stakeholder engagement.
To implement a phased, coordinated hydropower cascade on the Bahr el Jebel River harnessing a potential of up to 2,100 MW of reliable, cost-effective renewable electricity for economic development, regional trade and long-term energy security in South Sudan