Can solar energy save money on a Sudanese farm?

KHARTOUM, May 19 (Reuters) - Sudanese farmer Mohammed Mahgoub used to spend more than $12 per day on gasoline to keep his farm in Nile River State operating, braving long queues at gas stations to fuel his irrigation pumps. But a solar energy unit he built a year ago to power his farm has helped him save money, energy, and time.

How much does a solar energy unit cost in Sudan?

A small solar energy unit usually costs around $500, and for bank manager Abdel Maged Khojaly, the unit he built on his roof has helped him save the up to 9,000 Sudanese pounds ($22) he spent on electricity every month.

Will Sudan's First Solar Park be built in the UAE?

According to the country’s Ministry of Energy, an unspecified UAE solar company has committed to building several large scale PV plants across the country. These new projects would be granted a 20-year PPA and would be Sudan’s first solar parks. Few specific were outlined in the statement.

Does Sudan have solar energy?

Sudan has one of the lowest levels of solar development in Africa although it has one of the best levels of solar radiation in the whole continent. The Sudanese government tried to implement several initiatives to increase the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix over the past years but so far results seem to be quite limited.

Does saruest have a solar project in Sudan?

Saruest alone runs 1,200 solar energy projects in Sudan. It and companies like it receive exemptions on their customs when importing panels, and banks are providing financing that allows farmers to pay in instalments.

Could Sudan be the world's largest solar photovoltaic area?

The project is funded with $4 billion from the government and is projected to generate a total capacity of 1.8 GW, which would make it the world’s largest solar photovoltaic area. In 2018, the first phase was completed and 50 MW was generated [58, 59]. Sudan could exploit its renewable resources by adopting a strategy similar to Egypt.