Electricity in Sudan in 2023
In 2023, Sudan's electricity consumption consists of around 12 TWh from low-carbon sources, primarily stemming from hydropower, which makes up almost three-quarters of its electricity generation, with fossil fuels contributing about 5 TWh. This means more than half of Sudan's electricity comes from low-carbon sources, a positive step for sustainability. However, with a total electricity generation of 17 TWh and considering Sudan's population, electricity consumption per person is significantly lower than the global average of 3,813 watts per person. This low level of electricity generation can lead to challenges such as inadequate access to electricity, hindering economic development, education, and healthcare infrastructure and potentially exacerbating socio-economic disparities.
Suggestions
Sudan can substantially increase its low-carbon electricity generation by leveraging solar and wind energy, as illustrated by countries like India and Brazil, who have made notable strides in these areas. For instance, India generated 134 TWh from solar and 82 TWh from wind, while Brazil produced 108 TWh from wind and 75 TWh from solar power. Sudan, with its vast sunny regions, has significant potential to harness solar energy. The success of China and the United States in solar and wind energy also underlines the importance of investing in technology and infrastructure. Sudan can take cues from these nations by committing to policies that support clean energy investments, fostering international collaborations, and encouraging local innovations to sustainably boost its electricity capacity.
History
Historically, the development of low-carbon electricity in Sudan has been closely tied to its hydropower resources. From the early days in 1981, when hydroelectricity saw modest growth, the late 2000s marked a promising period with significant increases, notably with 1.8 TWh in 2009 and a monumental rise of 2.9 TWh in 2010. By the mid-2010s, however, Sudan faced some setbacks, including declines in 2015 and 2023, which hindered the progress. Despite these fluctuations, there have been recent positive trends, such as the 0.9 TWh increase in 2022, indicating a resilient commitment to expanding clean energy infrastructure. This historical emphasis on hydropower offers a foundation for Sudan to pivot towards more diverse low-carbon sources, positioning itself for more comprehensive sustainable development.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.