The Sudanese Ministry of Energy and Mining has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UAE to construct 500 MW of solar PV capacity in the African nation. This capacity will be developed under an independent power producer (IPP) model.
In a brief announcement released, the ministry said the MoU was signed in the UAE and the Middle Eastern emirate was represented by a private company. This company whose name wasn't disclosed will supply, build, install and operate the solar power stations for a period of 20 years.
The private company will also train and employ Sudanese workers during the construction and operation period. Power generated by the solar power station under the arrangement will be purchased by the Government of Sudan at a competitive price.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Sudan depends on traditional biomass for most of its energy needs, especially for the off-grid population. Only 47% of its rural population is currently connected to the grid. Solar water pumps has been found to be a successful model here (see AfDB Backing PV Projects In Sudan & Burundi). Sudan's solar energy resource potential is very high throughout the year and solar PV's share in the total installed electricity generation capacity of the country has been increasing steadily, roughly 7% annually between 2012 and 2017.
Till the end of 2019, Sudan's cumulative renewable energy capacity reached 2.146 GW with solar PV contributing around 19 MW, as per the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
In January 20220, two renewable energy heavyweights, Masdar from UAE capital Abu Dhabi and Infinity Energy from Egypt, launched a joint venture (JV) to develop utility scale and distributed solar energy and wind power projects in Egypt and Africa under the name Infinity Power (see Masdar & Infinity Energy Eye African RE Market).