Background

Access to electricity in Sudan remains among the lowest in the region. For millions of households, social services and businesses, the only option is diesel generators, which fuel shortages and spiraling prices make unaffordable and unreliable. Around a third of people have no access at all, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.

Sudan has great potential for solar power, but underdevelopment of the off-grid energy market is a barrier to exploiting this. Informal diesel-based mini-grids operate in some communities, but they are expensive to run, highly polluting and largely unregulated. In the absence of a clear regulatory framework for renewable energy mini-grids, private sector investment and innovation has been limited.

Despite these challenges, solar photovoltaic (PV) mini-grids offer a practical and scalable solution for expanding access to clean energy, including in remote areas. Where existing diesel-based mini-grids are already in place, they also represent an opportunity to rapidly transition to cleaner energy by hybridizing them with solar PV systems. Repurposing existing infrastructure in this way ensures faster deployment and lowers operating costs, speeding the path to a clean energy future.

Project details

Funded by: Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNDP

Implemented by: Ministry of Energy and Petroleum

Project period: 2022-2026

Budget: US$2,937,246 (GEF and UNDP)

Coverage: Selected off-grid and underserved rural areas across Sudan

What we do

The project works to transform Sudan’s energy sector so communities, services and businesses across the country can access clean, reliable power at affordable prices.

We focus on the financial viability of mini-grids and improving conditions for private sector participation, including through the creation of a robust policy framework and innovative financing mechanisms.

This includes the development of simplified registration and regulatory frameworks for low-voltage mini-grids to reduce barriers to entry for investors and operators without lowering consumer protection and service quality.

In parallel, the project invests in capacity building for government institutions, utilities and private sector actors, such as training and technical assistance to strengthen skills in mini-grid planning, operation, regulation and business models.

The project is creating a digital mini-grid platform to support data collection, monitoring, tendering and transparency, helping to build confidence in the sector and support future scale-up.

The project will also pilot solar PV hybrid mini-grids by retrofitting at least two existing diesel-based off-grid power stations, with scope for expansion based on performance and demand.

Expected Results

The project will directly benefit around 144,000 people, with activities implemented in off-grid and underserved locations across Sudan. Key expected results include:

• Reliable electricity provided to households, social institutions and local businesses, supporting livelihoods and essential services

• Solar PV systems installed to hybridize existing diesel mini-grids, increasing renewable energy capacity and reducing fuel use, with a target of 2 MW of new solar PV capacity and 6.9 MWh of battery storage

• Significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through lower diesel consumption

• Improved policy and regulatory frameworks for mini-grids, enabling private sector participation

• Government institutions and private operators equipped with stronger technical and operational capacity

• A digital mini-grid platform established to improve monitoring, transparency and market development