Renewable Energy in Sudan: Current Status and Future Prospects

Abstract

Sudan relies heavily on refined petroleum products for electricity generation, excluding hydropower, contributing to environmental degradation through petroleum combustion. This challenge underscores the need to expand renewable energy utilization. This paper reviews the current status and future potential of renewable energy in Sudan. While hydropower generates approximately 54.6% of Sudan's electricity, other renewable sources contribute only 0.78% to the national grid. Sudan's hydropower capacity stands at 1907 MW, with plans to add 2197 MW. As a Sunbelt country, Sudan has immense solar energy potential, yet it has only constructed a 10-MW solar PV plant (5 MW on-grid). Two additional 10-MW solar projects are under construction, and the government aims to install 2190 MW of grid-connected solar PV and 50 MW of solar thermal energy by 2035. Wind energy remains underutilized, with a single 0.8-MW wind turbine connected to the grid, although a 100-MW wind power plant is under construction. The government envisions 1550 MW of wind capacity by 2035. Bioenergy capacity, predominantly from sugar industry co-generation, totals 199 MW, with less than 20 MW on-grid. Plans aim to install 270 MW of grid-connected bioenergy by 2032. Despite possessing geothermal potential in the Red Sea region, no geothermal plants have been installed. However, 54 MW of geothermal projects are planned by 2030. Additionally, Sudan's nuclear energy program targets two 600-MW reactors by 2030, while tidal energy projects could contribute 1.2 TWh annually to the grid. These initiatives aim to diversify Sudan's energy mix and enhance the country's sustainability.