Project Description
The Project entails the development, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of energy assets dedicated to MTN South Sudan Ltd by Communication & Renewable Energy Infrastructure (CREI). The Project’s aim in South Sudan is to modernize the energy infrastructure powering MTN’s telecom towers. New equipment will be installed within fenced tower sites, initially covering approximately 499 locations, with potential for future expansion. The Project is expected to deliver a combined capacity of at least 5.8 MW of solar power, 25.5 MWh of battery storage, and diesel backup, with some sites also connecting to Juba’s main electrical grid.
Environmental Categorization
The Project has been categorized as category B under the MIGA’s Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability. The environmental and social review summary (ESRS) will be disclosed at least 30 days in advance.
The ESRS can be accessed below:
Development Impact
The installation of solar panels and battery storage systems will reduce the reliance on diesel generators, helping to improve the power supply to telecom towers, thereby enhancing the reliability and quality of telecom services and improve the user experience. Before the installation of solar systems, 48% of outages in telecom services were related to unavailability of power due to diesel generator issues and diesel supply disruptions. The Project will virtually eliminate power outages for MTN in South Sudan, resulting in better quality of service and improved reliability At the same time, a more energy and cost efficient supply of power to the telecom towers will reduce operating costs of MTN, with the potential to support MTN in accelerating the roll out of additional towers, supporting broad growth and jobs creation in the country.. The Project also has strong potential to demonstrate the viability of foreign investment in a challenging environment, in particular small-scale individual solar systems with replication potential within and beyond the telecom sector, in the context of underdeveloped power sector in South Sudan.
