Plans and Challenges of the Renewable Energy in Sudan

Electrical energy is the basis of modern economic and social development for any country. Sudan is a large country with a population of about 40.7 million and used to be the largest country in Africa before split of South Sudan in 2011. Electricity generation in Sudan depends on hydro and thermal power. Average electricity demand increases by 11.5% annually and the consumption per capita is 376.6 kwh/year. Like many developing countries, Sudan suffers from a shortage of electricity generation and network expansion and about 35% of the population has access to supply. It has become necessary to exploit other energy resources, especially solar, to complement the other limited generation. Considering the abundance of solar energy resources in the country, solar power is becoming so competitive against conventional energy in Sudan especially for the remote areas. Wind generation is also part of the future generation's map with solar, to support hydro, thermal generation. This paper presents the plans and challenges of Renewable Energy Systems (RES) in Sudan with focus solar energy generations and some applications.