Sudan Power Sector Collapses as War Inflicts $3 Billion Damage, Solar Adoption Surges

Khartoum, May 18, 2026 - Sudan’s electricity sector has suffered damages estimated at $3 billion since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict, triggering a nationwide shift toward solar energy as households, businesses, and telecommunications operators struggle to cope with a collapsing national grid and soaring diesel costs, according to a United Nations report released Monday.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sudan said widespread destruction of power generation facilities and transmission infrastructure has forced a rapid, largely unplanned transition to solar energy, despite persistent cost pressures and disrupted supply chains. The country, which benefits from some of the world’s highest solar irradiance levels, has an estimated technical potential of 15 gigawatts (GW) of solar power and 1.5 GW of wind energy. Yet before the war, grid electricity reached only 45% to 60% of the population, leaving rural and remote communities heavily dependent on off-grid solutions.

The report estimated Sudan’s installed solar capacity at about 190 megawatts (MW) by 2025-far below pre-war government ambitions to generate 3,300 MW of renewable energy by 2033, including 2,190 MW from solar sources.

The conflict also derailed state-led programs such as plans to distribute 2.5 million solar home systems to off-grid communities. In their place, private imports of solar equipment surged between 2024 and 2025 as grid failures intensified and fuel prices became increasingly prohibitive.

However, the UNDP warned that the sector remains highly fragile. Because all components-including panels, batteries, and inverters-are imported, the market is heavily exposed to currency depreciation, foreign exchange shortages, and high domestic logistics costs. The report detailed that importation costs through Port Sudan were significantly inflated by internal transport fees, port storage charges, demurrage, and documentation expenses, all of which collectively eroded affordability for end users.

In retail markets across cities such as Atbara, Port Sudan, Dongola, and Khartoum, solar panel prices reached between 218,000 and 255,000 Sudanese pounds for a 590-watt unit in late 2025, while 10-kilowatt lithium batteries were priced above 5 million Sudanese pounds.

Despite rising adoption, regional disparities remain pronounced. Khartoum leads with solar penetration above 7%, followed by Kordofan at around 6% and Darfur at 5%, while eastern and central regions lag at roughly 3%.

The economic consequences of the energy crisis have been severe, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises and agriculture. In Gedaref, farmers reported significant yield declines linked to unreliable power supply. In Blue Nile, diesel scarcity pushed fuel prices to extreme levels, while irrigation systems in White Nile were left idle for extended periods due to fuel shortages.