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.

What is the South Sudan off-grid market?

Developing the of-grid products supply chain and product line The South Sudan off-grid market is dominated by non-specialised vendors and retailers who sell other products, including off-grid products. Most of the products are not quality-verified, nor do they receive any incentives to target end-users who cannot aford a one-time upfront payment.

Is finance a barrier to developing a mini-grid supply chain in South Sudan?

The lack of access to finance was identified as a critical barrier to developing the of-grid and mini-grid supply chain in South Sudan. One of the respondents in the study reported that financial institutions charge high interest rates, up to 22%, thus making it unattractive to borrow money to expand business activities.

What are the barriers to developing the solar sector in South Sudan?

Another impediment to developing the of-grid solar sector in South Sudan is the limited capacity of technicians to install, maintain and repair the solar systems (Mozersky & Kammen, 2018).

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).

Are solar devices a problem in South Sudan?

The second hurdle is the lack of awareness, with 8% of urban and rural populations reporting a lack of knowledge about solar devices. The third barrier to greater penetration of solar devices in South Sudan is poor consumer perceptions of solar product quality.