Sudan has announced a full exemption of customs duties on solar energy systems as authorities seek to promote alternative power solutions amid a severe electricity crisis.
The Customs Force Media Department said on Tuesday, August 4, that the decision was aimed at encouraging the adoption of solar energy and reducing costs for importers and investors.
The move follows public criticism over fees on solar equipment as prolonged power outages continue to affect several parts of the country, including Khartoum, Northern and River Nile states. The electricity crisis was worsened by a fire that damaged major transmission lines at the Merowe Dam hydroelectric plant, forcing the facility offline and triggering widespread blackouts.
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has said power has been partially restored to critical infrastructure and some residential areas in Khartoum, with replacement parts for the damaged hydroelectric facility expected soon. Authorities had earlier launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, while the Electricity Regulatory Authority defended technical and inspection fees on solar imports, describing them as necessary measures to prevent substandard equipment from entering the market.
The latest customs exemption forms part of efforts by Sudan to expand renewable energy use as the country continues to grapple with power supply challenges.
