South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA), under the leadership of Director General Hon. John Woja Elinana, is ushering in a new era of uninterrupted power at Juba International Airport by upgrading the airport’s electrical power system. In a recent interview, Captain Dau Majak Ayom, the Airport Manager of Juba International Airport, highlighted the latest development: the installation of two powerful generators and an automatic breaker system that will produce 2MW of electricity, exceeding the airport’s current power needs.
Adrian Hans, one of the lead engineers from the installation team, explained that each of the two generators produces 1,000 kW (1 MW) of power.
“These generators can operate either independently or in tandem, as each one produces more power than the airport currently needs to run its operations,” he stated.
He further noted that a monthly maintenance schedule has been established to ensure optimum performance and operational reliability. The power produced by these two generators will also be supplemented by city power (JEDCO).
Prior to this upgrade, the airport relied on a single 1,000-amp generator and a manual breaker. This often resulted in inconsistencies due to frequent blackouts and interruptions caused by the use of a manual breaker. “In the past, power was manually switched on at 5:30 AM and off again at 5:30 PM,” James explained. “Even during these hours, there were several interruptions that affected smooth operations.”
Thanks to the new SSCAA leadership, this challenge is now being addressed head-on. The installation of two high-capacity generators and an automatic breaker system has revolutionised the airport’s energy infrastructure. Unlike the previous generator and manual switch, these are designed to handle heavy power loads, making them ideal for large-scale facilities such as airports, hospitals, and commercial hubs.
“People will not be able to tell the difference when there is a switch from one generator to another or to the city power,” James said proudly. “With the new system, we now have uninterrupted power. The security lights are fully functional, and there’s no more guessing or hoping that power will hold.”
He attributes this leap forward to the new SSCAA management, commending them for prioritising safety, reliability, and operational excellence.
“This is the kind of change we have been waiting for. I am proud to be part of the SSCAA team that is actively building a safer, secure, and sustainable international airport for South Sudan.”
The SSCAA Public Relations Manager, David Loputu, stated that passengers had previously expressed discomfort due to electricity interruptions at the airport.
He attributed the recent improvements to the results of strategic management meetings and emphasised the hard work undertaken by SSCAA to install the new generators.
Mr Loputu also spoke about the Civil Aviation Authority’s continued commitment to enhancing aviation infrastructure, including plans to install runway lights, a key step towards enabling 24-hour operations with future night flights.
As part of its broader vision, SSCAA remains committed to upgrading critical aviation infrastructure, ensuring that Juba International Airport can meet both current and future demands. With power secured, the path ahead is clearer than ever.
