South Sudan Price Bulletin, September 2024

What is a solar power plant in South Sudan?

Image: The recently launched 20MW solar energy plant in South Sudan. Credit: Ezra Group A public-private partnership in South Sudan has launched the country's first major solar power plant and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the capital Juba, where it is expected to provide electricity to thousands of homes.

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.

Is solar energy a viable economic option in Sudan?

Adoption of solar energy in Sudan may be economically challenging, especially for the most poor and vulnerable population in rural areas, due to the lack of soft loans from banks and subsidization from the government.

Why is South Sudan struggling to provide electricity to its citizens?

According to a 2024 sciencedirect.com report, South Sudan struggles to provide its citizens access to electricity despite having abundant energy resources, particularly fossil fuels.

Can South Sudan electrify?

South Sudan is at a crossroads in terms of its ability to electrify the nation. Looking forward, the path toward clean, renewable energy is both cost-effective and environmentally conscious, resulting in increased energy security, sustainability and community resilience.

How does South Sudan produce energy?

Most of the country's current energy production comes from generators that burn imported diesel, a costly method both economically and environmentally. According to the World Bank, only 8.4% of the population had reliable access to power and electricity in 2022, leaving the door wide open to produce much-needed renewable energy in South Sudan.

Does South Sudan have a large-scale solar power project?

South Sudan has taken a significant step toward renewable energy with the launch of its first large-scale solar power project. The Ezra Group, a prominent business conglomerate, has successfully developed and financed a 20-megawatt (MW) solar power plant, complemented by a 14-megawatt-hour (MWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

Why should South Sudan invest in solar power & battery storage?

This project marks a significant achievement for South Sudan, reinforcing its commitment to renewable energy and environmental responsibility. By investing in solar power and battery storage technology, the country is making a decisive move toward energy independence, economic growth, and a sustainable future for its people.

What makes up the power sector in South Sudan?

The power sector in South Sudan consists of a mix of public and private sector service providers that engage in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution enterprises. Encouragement is given for the development of electricity through renewable power sources, such as hydro, wind, biomass, solar, and geothermal.

Why is South Sudan struggling to provide electricity to its citizens?

According to a 2024 sciencedirect.com report, South Sudan struggles to provide its citizens access to electricity despite having abundant energy resources, particularly fossil fuels.

How will a 20 MW solar plant benefit Juba?

The 20 MW solar plant is set to power approximately 16,000 households in Juba. It will also enhance grid stability and reduce energy costs for consumers. The accompanying battery storage system ensures that solar-generated power remains available when needed, stabilizing the grid and improving renewable energy reliability.

Why is SSEC a success in South Sudan?

The success of this project is largely due to the strategic collaboration with key partners, including the South Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC) and the Ministry of Energy and Dams, which oversee electricity generation, transmission, and distribution across the country.

Are energy storage systems reducing the cost of batteries?

The scale of the reduction suggests that in addition to the falling cost of batteries—BNEF's recent Lithium-ion Battery Price Survey found that battery pack prices fell 20% year-on-year to 2024, again the biggest drop recorded to date—energy storage system providers are working on cost reduction in other areas, Kikuma said.

Why are battery energy storage systems (Bess) costs falling?

A growing industry trend towards larger battery cell sizes and higher energy density containers is contributing significantly to falling battery energy storage system (BESS) costs.

How much does a 300ah cell cost?

For DC-side systems, systems with 300Ah or larger cells were 5% cheaper than systems with 300Ah or smaller cells in 2024. DC blocks with <300Ah cells averaged at US$144/kWh versus US$137/kWh average for 300Ah or larger.

How much does a turnkey energy storage system cost?

According to BloombergNEF's recently published Energy Storage System Cost Survey 2024, the prices of turnkey energy storage systems fell 40% year-on-year from 2023 to a global average of US$165/kWh. The research firm said this was the highest annual drop since its survey launched in 2017.

How much does a battery cost in China?

The figures represent an average across different geographies and multiple application areas, including different types of electric vehicles, buses and stationary storage projects. On a regional basis, average battery pack prices were lowest in China, at $94/kWh.

How much will a 300ah battery cost in 2025?

BNEF also asked survey participants to specify the delivery year of their systems, and through that was able to forecast an even bigger drop in 2025, to an average of US$122/kWh for DC blocks with 300Ah or bigger cells. “A lot of people are thinking about bigger battery cells.

Is advanced battery production cost-competitive?

A comparison of the costs of battery cell production in the United States and in China indicates that highly automated production processes can make U.S.-based advanced battery manufacturing cost-competitive with Chinese production, and suggests that large-scale production of advanced batteries may be economically feasible in the United States. 2.

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How much does it cost to make 18650 lithium ion cells?

Although specific costs vary, the initial investment required to build a U.S. manufacturing facility for cylindrical 18650 lithium-ion cell production is roughly $4 per cell produced each year. This means that a U.S. facility capable of producing 30 million cells per year requires an upfront investment of about $120 million.

How do economies of scale affect lithium-ion production?

To better quantify the impact of economies of scale, the author considered two sizes for plants producing the 18650 lithium-ion cell: a smaller plant that produces 35 million cells a year, and a larger facility that produces 350 million cells a year. The models also compare both manual and semi-automated Chinese plants with automated U.S. plants.