Why is energy development important in Sudan?

Sudan faces many energy development challenges brought about by high electricity subsidy levels and climate-induced impacts on hydroelectric generation which has been decreasing at a rate of about 4% per year. Improving access to modern and afordable energy is a development priority for Sudan.

How many people in Sudan have a reliable and safe source of electricity?

Notwithstanding the great efforts made by local utilities in Sudan to address the electricity sector’s bottlenecks, only 46% of the population in Sudan have a reliable and safe source of electrical energy according to International Energy Agency statistic in 2016 .

How much does electricity cost in Sudan?

As for Ethiopia, Sudan imports electricity at a price of 4.5 cents/kilowatt . In August 2021, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum declared that the Sudanese energy sector needed urgent maintenance and restructuring at a cost of $3 billion, another indicator of the dire financial needs of the sector .

Is Sudan's Energy Sector Sustainable?

Further, Sudan’s energy sector is currently subsidised by the government. Government subsidies to the sector totalled $667 million in 2019. This represents 13.5% of total government expenditures . Financial sustainability could be achieved by introducing gradual tariff adjustments.

How can Sudan transform its energy sector?

A comprehensive package of technical and financial assistance will be needed to transform Sudan’s energy sector. This will involve the development of risk management strategies that efectively promote public and private investments into scaled-up sustainable energy solutions.

What are the challenges facing Sudan's energy sector?

Sudan’s energy sector is facing numerous challenges: persistent blackouts, an inadequate energy infrastructure, and a poor and scattered government response .