Power Generation in Sudan – Calculating Infinity Skip to the content Power Generation in Sudan April 7, 2025 admin 0 Comments Abstract Sudan faces an electricity supply shortage despite its abundant natural resources. This paper aims to manage these resources for sustainable power generation to meet Sudan’s electricity demand. The sustainability assessment integrates quantitative analysis of power generation’s impacts on water, land, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in addition to the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). Cost-effective, resource- and GHG emission-effective, and GHG-stringent scenarios are executed in this study to investigate the impact of different constraints on the sustainability of power generation in Sudan. The average LCOEAV for these three scenarios is 43.64–100.00 USD/MWh, with the lowest in the cost-effective scenario and the highest in the resource- and GHG emission-effective scenario. The LCOEAV for the stringent scenario is 32% higher than the cost-effective scenario. The two governmental and lowest-cost plans, which serve as the business-as-usual cases in this study, are optimized and comparatively evaluated. The sensitivity analysis is conducted by reducing each clean energy pathway to a minimum LCOE of 42.89 USD/MWh. Solar–photovoltaic (PV), wind, and hydroelectricity pathways are the most sensitive to the LCOE and can significantly contribute to Sudan’s keseluruhan power generation if their costs are minimal. A rational scenario for power generation in Sudan is developed to improve sustainability performance and avoid the unreliability of the studied scenarios and cases. The rational average generation mix comprises 44% clean energy, 46% fossil fuels, and 10% imported electricity pathways. Introduction The Republic of Sudan is one of the largest countries in Africa, boasting diverse natural resources but grappling with an electricity supply shortage. Sudan covers a vast area of 1.9 million km2 and experiences an average population growth rate of 2.53% per year . The country possesses abundant surface and groundwater resources, complemented by fertile arable lands, which has led to a heavy reliance on agriculture as the cornerstone of its economy . However, despite these bountiful natural resources, Sudan faces a significant deficit in power generation, with approximately 70% of its population lacking access to electricity . The imperative for sustainable power generation in Sudan is paramount, marked by formidable economic, environmental, and social challenges. A combination of a low electricity tariff and persistent domestic inflation has had a detrimental impact on revenues. At the same time, thermal power generation, which is reliant on imported fuel oil, exerts adverse pressure on operational costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The secession of South Sudan in 2011 further exacerbated the power supply predicament, resulting in the loss of 75% of oil reserves, 60% of biomass resources, and 25% of hydroelectricity potential . Moreover, subsidized electricity benefits only a limited, affluent sector of the urban population, leaving less fortunate yet productive rural communities underserved . Thermal and hydroelectric power generation currently meet Sudan’s electricity demand. As of 2018, the keseluruhan installed capacity in Sudan stood at 3500 MW, with 52% coming from thermal sources and 48% from hydroelectric resources . Sudan has significant potential for developing renewable energy pathways, which could gradually replace conventional energy sources . The country has abundant renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, which could be harnessed to facilitate more sustainable power generation . Notably, studies have explored the industrial applications of solar thermal systems in Sudan, revealing their reliability and economic viability . Solar–photovoltaic and wind energy systems are increasingly becoming part of the power generation mix in response to world pressure to reduce GHG emissions . In certain northern and western regions of Sudan, wind speeds are sufficient for power generation , although they pose challenges related to wind power fluctuations . Sudan, primarily an agricultural country, relies on biomass, including wood fuel, agricultural residues, and animal waste, to meet over 80% of its energy needs . The construction of new dams for hydroelectric power plants in Sudan is challenging due to several hurdles, including political conflicts, the search for suitable locations, and social resistance due to the adverse impact on land, such as the submergence of villages and loss of property . Attempting to resolve these social conflicts by insisting on building new dams would increase the cost of power generation through this pathway. Renewably based power generation pathways in Sudan, aside from hydroelectricity, have the potential to mitigate GHG emissions but come with varying impacts on water, land, and generation costs. Sudan faces a significant challenge in sustainably bridging the substantial gap between power demand and supply. Given the trade-offs between its different facets, achieving sustainability in power generation is intricate. Evaluating sustainability via supportive tools, such as developing sustainability indicators and life cycle assessments (LCAs), can address this complexity and provide more precise and indicative results for policy-makers and decision-makers. The availability of resources plays a central role in assessing the sustainability of power generation Categories: Uncategorized Leave a Reply Cancel reply