We Need Bolder Solutions to Energy and Power Problems: An Urgent Appeal to the Government

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Dr Eng. Jaafar Ahmed Khalifa
I have previously addressed appeals to the above authorities in a series of articles—some focused on enhancing the role of solar energy in resolving the electricity crisis that predates the war, driven by a significant gap between generation and demand. That gap has since worsened dramatically due to the systematic damage inflicted by the war on electricity infrastructure. Other articles have stressed the need for the government to adopt a comprehensive national strategic plan to transition towards renewable energy, given its economic, developmental, and security benefits.
I return to the first issue because the crisis continues to escalate, while official efforts—though visible and considerable—are not, in qualitative terms, commensurate with the scale of the challenge. These efforts are largely directed towards areas that should not be prioritised at present, particularly when addressing urgent needs.
A Call for a New Approach
O federal and state governments,
We need a bolder mindset—one that moves beyond conventional, familiar solutions.
We need a government plan that adopts renewable energy as a protected national project, underpinned by legislation designed by specialists before lawmakers. Such a plan must address the current crisis while also aligning with global trends towards renewable energy and our own national imperatives (as outlined in earlier writings).
Electricity and the Return of Citizens
The presence of citizens in their homes in Khartoum is a cornerstone of restoring normal life in the capital and complements the security process. The electricity shortage is a major obstacle preventing citizens from returning.
The solution lies in the state government adopting an integrated solar energy project to provide electricity for households and essential services, and presenting it to the federal government. The project should aim to enable any willing citizen or service provider to acquire an appropriate solar system, supported by simplified procedures and financing—free from current bureaucratic constraints and discouraging limits.
This initiative requires both federal and state-level policies. Without such an approach, even three more years may not be sufficient to stabilise electricity supply in a way that encourages citizens to return home and normalise public life.
Financing Reform Is Essential
A solar energy system financed through banks or government institutions with annual profit margins of 25%–35% will not attract citizens or service providers—people are already exhausted from the conditions imposed by the war.
The national solar energy project should instead aim for annual profit margins below 10%. Both the government and the public stand to benefit from such a model—and this can be demonstrated quantitatively.
Arguments about potential losses to financial institutions from capital erosion are weak and unconvincing. Solutions exist to address such concerns. Meanwhile, the government is already expending significant resources on rehabilitating traditional electricity infrastructure and subsidising power supply.
Flawed Policies and Missed Opportunities
Policies that limit solar energy financing within the narrow ceiling of microfinance are fundamentally misguided. Other countries—without facing the severe security, displacement, and destruction challenges Sudan faces—have introduced robust financing packages and legal frameworks enabling citizens to adopt renewable energy systems, even offering incentives, primarily to address climate concerns.
Why, then, do we—amid war and crisis—continue to bury our heads in the sand? Who is thinking and planning on our behalf?
The financing packages recently announced by officials—purportedly to help society adopt solar energy—are in reality restrictive, overly cautious, and insufficient. They neither encourage uptake nor match the scale of the challenge created by the war.
A Practical Alternative
State government, consider prioritising solar energy for:
Residential complexes
Service institutions
Government offices
High-consumption facilities
This would allow the limited electricity from the national grid to serve vulnerable groups who cannot access solar systems—even under improved financing conditions.
Such a plan requires bold legislation.
Another necessary decision is to replace air-conditioning units using refrigerant gas with evaporative water coolers in government buildings. Why? Conventional air conditioners consume seven to eight times more energy than evaporative cooling systems. Is this not wasteful, inefficient, and unjust in the allocation of a scarce public resource?
Regulation and Market Governance
Finally, financing facilities and exemptions alone are not sufficient.
We need regulatory frameworks to:
Organise the solar energy market
Ensure product quality
Protect consumers
Safeguard financing institutions
A high-quality solar system retains resale value even after use, which adds a layer of financial security.
Conclusion
The solutions exist—but they require courage, strategic clarity, and decisive action. Without bold reform, the electricity crisis will continue to hinder recovery, delay the return of citizens, and obstruct the normalisation of life in the capital.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=13407