Investment Prospects in Sudan’s Solar Energy Sector: Exploring the Applicability of the Malaysian Investment Model (Part 1 of 2)

Dr Ahmed Abdelbagi

Humanity has been endowed with renewable energy sources, which the United Nations defines as naturally replenishing energy resources. These include hydropower, onshore and offshore wind energy, ocean energy, geothermal energy, bioenergy/biomass, ethanol fuel, solar energy, and photovoltaic (PV) solar energy.

By contrast, fossil fuels—coal, oil and natural gas—are classified as non-renewable resources that require hundreds of millions of years to form. Their combustion for energy production, particularly electricity generation, is a major contributor to climate change through harmful emissions. Currently, approximately 84.32 per cent of global electricity production depends on fossil fuels, while carbon dioxide emissions increased from 31.3 billion tonnes in 2010 to 32.2 billion tonnes in 2020, with the United Nations projecting that emissions could reach 43 billion tonnes by 2025.

The transition to renewable energy has therefore become an essential strategy for addressing the global climate crisis. In addition to its environmental benefits, renewable energy is now more cost-effective than conventional energy sources in many countries. It creates three times as many jobs as the fossil fuel sector, generating significant economic advantages.

The Growing Importance of Renewable Energy

Recognising its critical role in reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, the United Nations and its specialised agencies have actively promoted the global transition to renewable energy.

A 2024 report jointly published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Brazilian Presidency of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), and the Global Renewables Alliance revealed that global renewable energy capacity additions reached an unprecedented 582 gigawatts in 2024.

However, the report also concluded that this progress remains insufficient to achieve the target established under the United Arab Emirates Consensus, adopted at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), which calls for tripling global renewable energy capacity to 11.2 terawatts by 2030.

Among all renewable energy sources, solar energy is the most abundant. Solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface consists of approximately 70 per cent direct sunlight and 30 per cent diffuse radiation, as the atmosphere and clouds act as enormous filters that scatter and distribute solar energy in multiple directions.

Its abundance and practical advantages make solar energy one of the most accessible renewable resources available. This article therefore focuses on solar energy in Sudan and the investment opportunities that could facilitate its wider adoption.

What Is Solar Energy?

Solar energy, also known simply as energy from the sun, is a renewable energy source that utilises photons—particles of sunlight—to generate power.

The increased use of solar energy enables countries to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions and advancing climate change mitigation objectives.

By 2027, solar energy is expected to surpass coal and natural gas as a leading source of clean electricity generation, becoming one of the world’s principal alternatives to fossil fuels.

Solar radiation can be converted into both electrical and thermal energy through two primary technologies:

Photovoltaic (PV) conversion, which uses solar cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity.

Solar thermal conversion, which uses solar collectors and heat-absorbing materials to convert solar radiation into thermal energy.

Solar Energy and Energy Equity

Solar power is distinguished not only by its environmental sustainability but also by its ability to promote energy equity.

Solar panels can be installed in remote and underserved communities, helping reduce disparities in access to electricity across regions and populations.

Moreover, advances in energy storage technologies have significantly improved the reliability of solar power by mitigating the effects of weather variability and ensuring a more consistent electricity supply.

Given its strategic importance, this article examines the future of solar energy in Sudan as one of the fastest and most practical solutions to the country’s worsening electricity crisis. It argues that the Sudanese government should adopt solar energy as a key component of national electricity generation while simultaneously encouraging private sector investment by drawing lessons from successful international experiences—particularly the Malaysian model of solar energy investment.

Renewable Energy in Sudan: Current Status and Future Prospects

A recent study published in January 2025, entitled “Renewable Energy in Sudan: Current Status and Future Prospects” in Engineering Reports (Volume 7, Issue 1), provides a comprehensive assessment of Sudan’s renewable energy landscape.

According to the study, Sudan’s electricity generation currently relies on:

54.6 per cent hydropower;

0.78 per cent other renewable energy sources; and

44.62 per cent refined petroleum products,

The latter contributes significantly to environmental degradation through carbon emissions.

The study identifies several renewable energy resources that offer substantial opportunities for future development:

1. Solar Energy

Sudan lies within the global solar belt and possesses enormous solar energy potential.

The country enjoys:

More than 300 days of sunshine annually; and

Solar irradiation ranges from 5.5 to 7.5 kilowatt-hours per square metre per day.

These conditions provide a strong foundation for significantly expanding solar electricity generation in an environmentally sustainable manner while also helping to alleviate constraints on the national electricity grid.

2. Onshore Wind Energy

Sudan currently operates a single wind power station producing 0.8 megawatts, connected to the national grid.

A second facility with a planned capacity of 100 megawatts is under construction, while the government aims to generate 1,550 megawatts of electricity from wind energy by 2035.

3. Bioenergy

Sudan plans to expand the use of biofuels derived primarily from sugar cane.

Current and planned capacities include:

Approximately 199 megawatts, of which fewer than 20 megawatts are supplied to the national grid; and

A planned expansion to 270 megawatts, connected to the national grid by 2032.

4. Geothermal Energy

Although geothermal resources remain largely untapped, Sudan’s Red Sea region possesses favourable geological conditions for geothermal development.

Government plans envisage generating 54 megawatts of geothermal electricity by 2030.

5. Nuclear Energy

Sudan is also considering nuclear energy as part of its future energy mix, with plans to generate 600 megawatts through nuclear reactors by 2030.

6. Wave Energy

The country also has the potential to generate approximately 1.2 terawatt-hours of electricity annually from wave energy, although no practical development has yet commenced in this field.

To Be Continued

The second part of this article will examine Sudan’s solar energy potential in greater depth and explore how the Malaysian solar investment model could be adapted and applied to accelerate investment, expand electricity generation, and support sustainable economic development in Sudan.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=15086