In 2023, Sudan's electricity consumption reveals a clear divide between low-carbon energy sources and fossil fuels. Sudan generated approximately 11.75 TWh of low-carbon power, predominantly from hydropower, which accounted for the lion’s share at 11.5 TWh. Fossil fuels contributed 5 TWh to the mix, indicating that over two-thirds of the country's electricity comes from clean sources. Despite this inclination towards low-carbon energy, Sudan's electricity consumption remains significantly lower than the global average of 3813 kWh per person. With each individual consuming just 352 kWh, this deficit illustrates a potential challenge in supporting modern development needs, potentially constraining economic growth, infrastructure advancements, and quality of life improvements typical in more electrified nations.
Is Electricity Growing in Sudan?
Recent data on Sudan's electricity consumption demonstrates a worrying trend of decline rather than growth. In 2023, each person consumed 352 kWh, down from a previous peak in 2018 when it was 389 kWh per person. This indicates a decrease of 37 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation also saw a slight decline, dropping by 9 kWh per person from 244 in 2022 to 235 in 2023. Such reductions suggest that efforts to expand electricity consumption have not been robust enough, potentially due to economic, infrastructural, or policy challenges that need to be addressed to meet future demands considering the ongoing global push towards electrification.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Sudan can learn valuable lessons from other countries' successes. A neighboring country like Egypt has shown the potential of large-scale solar projects given its similar climate and resources. Globally, countries such as China and India have achieved remarkable growth in solar and wind energy, generating substantial TWh that have bolstered their electricity supply. Similarly, Sudan could consider the pathway of nuclear energy, as seen in the successes of France and South Korea, where nuclear power forms a significant portion of their electricity generation mix. Adopting these strategies could help Sudan expand its clean electricity generation, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and increase the sustainability of its energy infrastructure.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Sudan, primarily focused on hydropower, reveals a mix of expansions and setbacks. The early 1980s saw modest growth, with minor increments added each year. A significant step forward occurred in 2009 and 2010, with leaps of 1.8 and 2.9 TWh, respectively, demonstrating a robust infrastructure enhancement. The years 2013 and 2017 also marked notable increases, indicative of attempts to further harness hydropower capabilities. However, sporadic declines, like the reductions in 2003 and 2023, signal interruptions in progress, perhaps due to environmental, technical, or financial constraints. It highlights the need for a diversified approach that includes other low-carbon sources such as solar and nuclear to stabilize and optimize Sudan's electricity framework.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.