WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

construction and the project will be commissioned in
2014. 8 A number of prospective areas have been
identified by surveys, and studies are being carried out
to explore mini hydropower resources. The current flow
of the Nile could be used to run in-stream turbines;
water could then be pumped to riverside farms. There
are more than 200 suitable sites for the use of in-stream
turbines along the Blue Nile and the main Nile. The total
potential of energy generation from mini hydropower
can be considered to be 67 000 MWh/year for the
southern region, with 3,785 MWh/year in the Jebel
Marra mountains, and 44,895 MWh/year in El Gezira
and El Managil canals. About 8.5 MW of hydropower
capacity is planned at the three plants.
Renewable energy policy
The Sudan Renewable Energy Master Plan from 2005
promoted the use of renewable sources, particularly
photovoltaic and biomass with the aim to eliminate the
dependency on conventional energy. 2 The major state
stakeholders in shaping renewable policies in the
country include the Ministry of Science and Technology,
the Energy Research Institute, which develops
renewable energy pilot projects; and Forestry Research
Institute covering biomass energy technologies.
5. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
North Africa Office (2012). The Renewable Energy Sector
in North Africa. Available from
http://new.uneca.org/Portals/7/CrossArticle/1/Docume
nts/PUB-Renewable-Energy-Sector-in-North-Africa-
Sep2012.pdf. Accessed December 2012.
6. Sudan, Dams Implementation Unit (2004). About
Sudan. Available from
www.diu.gov.sd/en/about_sudan.htm
7. Abuaglla, National Electricity Corporation (2007).
Small Hydro Power Technologies – Country
Presentation: Sudan.. Paper presented at the Small
Hydropower Training at International Center on Small
Hydro Power. Hangzhou, 2 November to 12 December.
8. Sudan, Dams Implementation Unit (2011). Ministry of
Electricity and Dams. Available from
www.diu.gov.sd/en/index.php
Barriers to small hydropower development
Small hydropower appears to be an attractive option for
the country. However, certain barriers need to be
addressed if the objectives are to be fully achieved.
These include the following:
Continuing social tensions and unstable security
situation in some areas: Sudan has suffered from
two prolonged civil wars rooted in economic,
political, and social division
Low level of public awareness on the economic/
environmental benefits of hydropower and small
hydropower plants;
Weak institutional capacity of the various energy
research institutes and the lack of clear policy.
References
1. Central Intelligence Agency (2012). The World
Factbook. Available from
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
2. South Sudan America Friendship Association (2011).
Sudan Country Profile. Available from
http://ssafta.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Sudan-
Energy-Profile1.pdf
3. Business Monitor International (2012). Sudan and
South Sudan Power. Business Monitor International, Q4
2012.
4. Ranganathan, R. and Briceño- Garmenda, C. (2011).
Sudan’s Infrastructure: A Continental Perspective. World
Bank.
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