Small-scale off-grid solar cabinets used in rural South Sudan

Are there mini-grids in South Sudan?

Several companies have developed and operate mini-grids in South Sudan, as summarised in Annex 4. Data on type, number of end users, and retail tarifs were unavail-able for all companies apart from SunGate Solar.

Could off-grid expansion help regenerative agriculture in South Sudan?

Their holistic approach broadened regenerative agriculture over a 12-acre plot, co-designing projects with communities, installing solar-powered drip irrigation pumps, training and employing farmers and supporting distribution. Off-grid expansion could be a major step towards increasing access to and awareness of renewable energy in South Sudan.

How can humanitarian agencies contribute to solar energy in South Sudan?

Refugee contexts in countries such as Jordan have also led to the increased transition to solar energy through donor-led initiatives. Humanitarian agencies can also play a critical role in generating demand for solar systems in South Sudan refugee settlements, where biomass is predominantly used as energy source (Lemi & La Belle, 2020).

Can solar power solve energy poverty in South Sudan?

Because South Sudan is still in the beginning stages of their infrastructural development, there is a rare opportunity to move forward and address the issue of energy poverty by building sustainable models of electrification, like solar power, without having to dismantle an already existing energy foundation.