Deteriorating power outage shows deep economic challenges in Sudan Reuters

Khalid Abdulaziz

Khartoum (Reuters)-For the 17-year-old Waad, the frequent power outages in the Sudanese capital meant that many nights spent candlelight reviewing high school exams.

Households and businesses in Khartoum and other Sudanese cities have been hit by increasingly frequent power outages that often last throughout the day. These cities are already facing 380% inflation and shortages of gasoline, bread and other imported goods.

They put pressure on a transitional government that has won international acclaim for economic reforms and reached a broad debt relief agreement on Tuesday, although living conditions continue to deteriorate.

An official told Reuters that after inheriting the crisis economy with extremely low foreign exchange reserves, the government could not immediately solve the problem.

The government official, who asked not to be named, said that the authorities could not import enough fuel and could not pay for the maintenance and spare parts of the power station.

The resource-poor hospitals in Sudan are not immune to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials admitted that the power outage has caused oxygen shortages and deaths.

According to a report by the World Bank in 2019, only about one-third of Sudan’s nearly 45 million people have access to electricity, but the demand for highly subsidized electricity is increasing by an average of 11% per year, faster than most African countries.

Osman Dawalbeit, general manager of the state-owned Sudan Power Holding Company, pointed out that the country faces an average electricity deficit of 1,000 megawatts and pointed to rising fuel costs.

The Minister of Energy stated in March that the design capacity of Sudan’s power stations is 4,000 MW, but the current capacity is only 45%.

Approximately half of Sudan’s electricity comes from burning fuel and half from hydroelectric power.

deficit

This year, as part of the economic reforms overseen by the International Monetary Fund, the government reduced subsidies for higher energy consumption levels.

But Dawalbeit said that electricity prices are still far below production costs, causing problems with fuel supply, maintenance, and financing of new power stations.

He said the uncertainty surrounding the Blue Nile Dam being completed in Ethiopia meant that Sudan had to reduce its hydropower production, leading to a deficit.

The debt relief agreement announced on Tuesday means that Sudan should be able to obtain billions of dollars in new financing, which will help ease foreign exchange tightening.

Sudan last year with General Electric (NYSE:) Aims to increase power generation by up to 470 megawatts. It also seeks to increase imports from neighboring Egypt and Ethiopia.

In the long run, renewable energy may provide the answer.

“The future of electricity production in Sudan is renewable energy, especially solar and wind energy,” Dawalbeit said, adding that a five-year plan to start renewable energy has been funded and will be launched within six months.

Dawalbeit said that Sudan is working with private sector partners from the United States, Germany, France and Turkey. He said that solar power projects have been launched in cities such as Alphashe, Aldern and Dongola. The country imported its first wind turbine earlier this month.

However, at the same time, residents continue to suffer. In the hottest month, the temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), which puts many people at their limit and cannot use fans or air conditioners.

When talking about the power outages, Ward said: “I am worried that they will cause me to fail the exam and not enter the university. This is my lifelong dream.”

Salma Mutassem, another student reviewing by candlelight, said: “The natural state is that there is a power outage every other day.”

Mohamed Omar, who owns an electrical repair shop in Khartoum, said he can only do business during the three days when electricity is available during the day. He said: “We are suffering huge losses, and I am facing difficulties in paying rent and employee salaries.”