Energy Access in Sudan and South Sudan

Statistics concerning energy access currently exist only for Sudan and South Sudan taken together. As of 2007, the national grid reached a half million households, less than 10% of the population; major and minor local grids were serving another 5%. As result, only 30% of the population had access to electricity.

According to World Bank indicators, in 2009 36% of the population in both countries taken together had access to electricity.

In 2007, the electricity distribution infrastructure was a reflection of the fact that most of the Sudanese rural communities were not connected to the grid, and were also by-passed by the petroleum supply pipe lines, which lead them to rely mainly on biomass. Many villages across Sudan and South Sudan connect small generators to diesel-powered irrigation pumps.

South Sudan
All Africa reports of acute fuel shortages in Juba, which has resulted in the skyrocketing of commodities in the market during April-May 2012, with no signs of the situation improving. Most manufactured goods and processed food items are, as of May 2012, being transported from neighbouring countries.

There are reports that the foreign owners of the petrol stations who plan to increase the price of fuel at the pump are at odds with the government which wants to maintain the price of petrol at SSP 6 (roughly $1.50 USD), which would be more affordable to the ordinary consumer.

Because of the economic austerity measures there is no electricity supply from the national grid. People with businesses and government departments have to rely entirely on power from giant generators that consume a lot of fuel on a daily basis.

The Global Poverty Project reports that in South Sudan, women could spend up to 3 hours each day collecting grass to burn for lighting. A new initiative by a company called Eight19 which provides off-grid solar power panels was launched in February 2012.

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