In 2023, electricity consumption in South Sudan was just 51 kWh per person—about 1% of the global average of 3,794 kWh per person, or roughly 74 times lower. Low-carbon electricity generation was also extremely limited, at around 3 kWh per person. The supplied figures do not provide a complete breakdown of fossil-fuel electricity and clean electricity consumption, so their exact shares cannot be established. Such low electricity availability can constrain healthcare, education, water pumping, refrigeration and business activity, while limiting opportunities to electrify everyday services.

Is Electricity Growing in South Sudan?

Electricity consumption per person is not currently setting new records in South Sudan. The 2023 figure remained below the 2018 peak of 58 kWh per person, a shortfall of roughly 6–7 kWh per person, allowing for rounding in the supplied figures. Low-carbon generation likewise showed no clear growth: about 3 kWh per person in 2023 compared with a record of about 4 in 2022. The reported change rounds to zero, suggesting a small decline rather than a meaningful expansion. This stagnation is concerning given the substantial need for more electricity.

Suggestions

South Sudan should prioritize expanding solar electricity through household systems, community mini-grids and larger projects, supported by storage and stronger electricity networks. Relevant examples include South Africa, which generated around 20 TWh of solar electricity, and Pakistan, with around 41 TWh: both offer useful experience in scaling solar in sunny environments, although their electricity systems are much larger. South Africa also demonstrates how a diversified clean electricity supply can include wind and nuclear, generating about 12 TWh from each. South Sudan should consider nuclear electricity as part of longer-term planning, including regional cooperation, workforce development and the institutions needed to support it. These examples illustrate possibilities rather than output targets: the immediate goal should be a substantial increase in reliable, low-carbon electricity access.

History

The historical data show no recorded year-to-year change in solar electricity generation at the stated precision throughout 2013–2023. This pattern spans both the mid-to-late 2010s and the early 2020s, with no visible acceleration in clean electricity generation. However, changes reported as zero TWh do not necessarily mean there was no solar generation or no small-scale growth; small additions can disappear when rounded to this unit. The record therefore points to a need for much faster, measurable expansion of clean electricity, especially solar, rather than establishing that solar activity was entirely absent.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade