Sudan - Solar PV Powered Pumping for Irrigation Project (Desert-to-Power Initiative)

The Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Powered Pumping Systems Project is a potential breakthrough for the agriculture sector in Sudan. It is being a groundwork for the Government’s Solar PV policy, the renewable energy development and the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) and acts as a catalyst for the operationalization of the Solar PV Fund. Provision of solar powered water pumps to the farmers, incorporates efficiency-based model that reduces dependence on fossil fuel, improves crops production at lesser costs, and improves farmers’ livelihoods. This project addresses the need for efficient and adequate energy provision for irrigation in Sudan by facilitating the replacement of diesel-powered pumping systems with innovative technologies relying fully on solar PV power. It covers two states, North Kordofan and West Kordofan. The project will play a critical role in creating a market that has not presently matured in Sudan and supporting it through the nascent stage to a point where it is self-sustaining and able to respond to the needs of the farmers. It targets to: (i) install 1,170 solar PV pumps, (ii) establish workshops, one in North Kordofan and another in West Kordofan, for maintaining, servicing and repairing solar powered pumps; and (iii) supply additional testing equipment for the solar PV pumps testing laboratory to ensure quality standards, quality assurance, testing and certification, and for training and capacity building. Construction is expected to be implemented over a period of 24 months after EPC contract effectiveness and scheduled to be completed by September 2023. The project’s cost is estimated at UA 15.867 million.