In 2023, Sudan's electricity consumption painted a clear picture of its reliance on different energy sources. The country generated around 17 TWh of electricity; more than two-thirds came from low-carbon sources, mainly hydropower, which accounted for almost all of the clean electricity at 11.5 TWh. Meanwhile, fossil fuels contributed roughly 5 TWh, showcasing a significant but less dominant role. Despite the prevalence of low-carbon electricity, Sudan's electricity generation per person remains remarkably low—about 352 kWh per person annually, which pales in comparison to the global average of 3,658 kWh per person. This shortfall in electricity availability can hinder economic development, limit access to modern amenities, and slow down efforts to improve living standards.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Sudan?
Recent data indicates a troubling trend in Sudan's electricity consumption and generation. The latest figures show a decrease in overall electricity use from 388 kWh per person in 2021 to 352 kWh in 2023. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per person has slightly decreased from a high of 244 kWh in 2022 to 235 kWh in 2023. These declines, though modest, suggest setbacks in progress toward expanding clean energy and meeting increasing electricity demands. It is imperative for Sudan to reverse this trend, emphasizing the need to expand its electricity generation, particularly from low-carbon sources, to bolster its energy security and environmental sustainability.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Sudan could take inspiration from regions with successful solar and wind deployments, such as China and India. China, for example, demonstrates immense success with solar and wind, producing over 1,000 TWh from each source. Likewise, India also achieves significant output from solar and wind, with a combined capacity of around 278 TWh. By emulating these countries' strategies, such as investing in solar infrastructure and wind farms, Sudan could harness its vast sun and wind resources to fuel sustainable growth. Additionally, embracing nuclear energy, as seen in nations like the United States and France, could provide a stable and substantial increase in clean electricity, paving the way for a greener and more reliable energy future for Sudan.
History
Historically, low-carbon electricity generation in Sudan, largely driven by hydroelectric power, has seen fluctuating growth. Beginning in the early 1980s, there were minor increases of about 0.2 TWh, with some declines in later years. Significant growth was observed around 2010, with a jump of 3 TWh, followed by consistent increases until 2014. The subsequent years, until 2017, saw a few setbacks but overall positive growth, particularly notable with the increase of 1.3 TWh in 2017. However, the history also includes slight declines, such as the decrease of 0.3 TWh in 2023. This emphasizes Sudan's historical dependence on hydroelectric power and highlights the importance of diversifying into other low-carbon sources to maintain steady growth and meet future electricity demands effectively.
