Fixing Renewable Energy Failures in Sudan Through a Dedicated Government Sustainability Unit

The article argues that renewable energy projects in Sudan fail mainly because of weak institutions, poor coordination, and lack of maintenance, not because of technology or resources. It proposes creating a Governmental Sustainability Unit to monitor projects, secure maintenance funding, and ensure renewable energy delivers lasting benefits, especially in a post-conflict context.

A study, conducted by researchers from Sudan’s National Energy Research Center alongside Prince Sultan University and Alfaisal University in Saudi Arabia, addresses a critical puzzle: why renewable energy projects in Sudan repeatedly stop working soon after installation. Set against the global push for sustainability under the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the article argues that Sudan’s energy problem is not a lack of sunlight, technology, or donor support, but weak institutions. Sudan remains heavily dependent on biomass and fossil fuels, while access to electricity is limited and uneven, particularly outside Khartoum. Even before the war that began in 2023, only around two-thirds of the population had electricity, despite the country operating one of the largest power systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A Country Rich in Sun, Poor in Power

Sudan has some of the world’s strongest solar potential, with long sunshine hours and high solar radiation across all regions. This has encouraged international donors and NGOs to fund many small- and medium-scale projects, including solar water pumps for agriculture, drinking water systems, electrification of rural clinics, and power for telecom towers. These projects have brought clear benefits, improving water access, food production, healthcare, and climate resilience. However, many systems stop working within a short time. The reasons are simple: there is no money set aside for maintenance, no trained local technicians, weak quality control, and little community involvement. Once donors leave, systems are often abandoned, misused, or damaged, turning promising investments into wasted assets.

Conflict Makes a Weak System Worse

The article shows how these long-standing problems have been made far worse by Sudan’s ongoing armed conflict. Millions of people have been displaced, infrastructure has been damaged, fuel supplies disrupted, and electricity demand pushed into areas with already limited services. In this crisis, decentralized renewable energy, especially solar, has become even more important, as it can operate independently of damaged grids. Yet the same governance failures persist. Projects are scattered across ministries, states, NGOs, and donors, with no single authority responsible for monitoring performance, coordinating actors, or ensuring systems continue to operate safely and effectively. This fragmentation leaves renewable energy efforts vulnerable precisely when they are most needed.

The Case for a Governmental Sustainability Unit

To solve this problem, the authors propose creating a Governmental Sustainability Unit (GSU). This would be a dedicated public body focused not on building new projects, but on keeping existing ones running. Its main role would be to monitor renewable energy systems after installation, check their technical performance, measure social and environmental benefits, and ensure problems are fixed early. The GSU would also coordinate government agencies, NGOs, and donors to avoid duplication and gaps. A key idea is that every renewable energy project should include a clear budget for operations and maintenance, overseen by the GSU, so systems do not fail due to neglect. The unit would also support training for local technicians and awareness campaigns so communities understand, protect, and properly use renewable energy systems.

Building Strong Rules for Long-Term Impact

The article reviews Sudan’s existing energy laws and policies, including the Electricity Act and the Renewable Energy Policy, and finds that while they exist on paper, they do not ensure sustainability. The authors argue that new legislation is needed to formally establish the GSU, give it legal authority, and secure stable funding. Drawing lessons from institutions like Tanzania’s Rural Energy Agency and Nepal’s Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, the study recommends placing the GSU at a high government level, ideally under the Prime Minister’s Office, to ensure coordination across ministries. With a small but skilled technical team and state-level offices, the GSU could link national policy with local realities. The article concludes that without such an institution, Sudan risks repeating a cycle of short-lived renewable energy projects. With it, renewable energy could become a reliable foundation for recovery, resilience, and long-term development in a post-conflict Sudan