A high ranking official within the electrical sector in Sudan revealed that the Northern state had separated from the country’s electricity network, and are now being covered by the Egyptian interconnection program.
The official also apologized for the frequently scheduled nationwide power interruptions, acknowledging that they are the result of state shortcomings, which it is currently working on addressing.
AlTaghyeer – Khartoum: Alaa Musa
A senior official at the General Administration of National Control at the Electricity Transmission Company in Sudan revealed on Saturday the separation of the northern state from the national electricity grid, and the transfer of its subordination to the electrical interconnection project with Egypt.
The Sudanese and Egyptian sides are working on establishing an electrical interconnection project, which would provide the national grid with 300 megawatts of electricity.
The Director of the National Control’s software department at the Sudanese Electricity Transmission Company, Eng. Mohamed Mukhtar Al-Tayeb, issued an apology to the Sudanese people for the scheduled cuts.
Al-Tayeb assured that the state is taking measures to ensure the stability of the electrical supply as soon as possible.
The Sudanese public has suffered daily power cuts that last for hours— for many months— with the exception of short periods such as during Ramadan and the Sudanese certificate exams.
“We are not able to play this role and bear the failure,” he declared in a statement made to Hala Radio’s Ifada wa Taw’qee program, Saturday.
“The root of the problem is related to resources, and the state does not provide capabilities,” he added.
He called on the government to develop a specific plan to end the interruptions, and attributed the morning and evening power cuts to increased loads.
Currency and Cooperation
The director explained that the problem lies in the state’s capabilities in terms of operation, spare parts and training.
He pointed out that the state did not fulfill the dues of internal and external suppliers, while noting that the absence of foreign exchange resulted in electric power shortages.
Al-Tayeb announced that the national grid will benefit from the electrical interconnection projects with Egypt and Ethiopia.
He said that Sudan will benefit from the Ethiopian connection with 800 megawatts if the containers are available to withdraw the current.
“It is expected that the Egyptian connection will provide 240 megawatts if the problems with the withdrawal (of electricity) are also addressed.
Stability Secret
Regarding the stability of the electrical current during the Sudanese certificate exams period, Al-Tayeb said that the stability will be at the expense of the machines.
“This will cost the state more money in the coming period, and will lead to a number of machines going out of service.”
Eng. Mohammed also denied what the former director of the Sudanese Electricity Company, M. Salim Mahjoub, said regarding the government’s request to transfer electricity financing funds for other projects.
Projects and Concerns
The transitional government recently signed contracts to establish new stations, the last of which are the solar-powered stations in Dongola.
It is expected that the national grid will generate about 1,000 megawatts by the beginning of next year, which will contribute significantly to the stability of electrical supply.
However, there are growing attitudes regarding the potential effects of the Renaissance Dam on hydro-power generation.
Specialists call for the need to push the people into rationalization policies and the use of alternative energy, following the increase in annual consumption rates.