Sudan Removes Customs Duties On Solar PV Systems To Tackle Nationwide Power Crisis

Sudan has announced a full exemption of customs duties on solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems as part of efforts to address the country’s ongoing electricity crisis and encourage the adoption of clean energy solutions. The decision was confirmed by the Sudanese Customs Forces under the Ministry of Interior and is expected to reduce the cost of importing solar equipment for households, businesses, and investors.

The policy comes in the wake of a major power disruption caused by a fire that damaged key transmission lines connected to the Merowe Dam hydroelectric plant. Located on the River Nile in northern Sudan, the 1.25 GW Merowe Dam is the country’s largest hydroelectric facility and supplies nearly two-thirds of Sudan’s hydroelectric generation capacity. The incident triggered widespread power outages across Khartoum, Northern, River Nile, and Red Sea states, disrupting daily life and economic activities.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum deployed technical teams to assess the damage, carry out repairs, and investigate the cause of the fire. To ease the electricity shortage, authorities restored power to critical facilities and some residential areas by reconnecting thermal power generation units to the national grid. Replacement equipment for the damaged hydroelectric infrastructure has also been ordered to support full restoration efforts.

The customs duty exemption follows growing public concern over the high costs associated with importing renewable energy equipment during prolonged power shortages. While authorities had previously defended inspection and technical fees as necessary to prevent the entry of low-quality products into the market, the government has now prioritized expanding access to reliable alternative energy sources.

Officials believe that eliminating customs duties on solar PV systems will encourage faster deployment of decentralized solar installations across the country. The measure is expected to reduce dependence on vulnerable hydroelectric infrastructure and costly diesel generators while improving energy security. By promoting wider adoption of solar power, Sudan aims to build a more resilient and sustainable electricity system capable of meeting the country’s growing energy needs.