South Sudan energy mix & electricity
In 2024, South Sudan generated 560 GWh of electricity. The supply is almost entirely oil, which accounted for 98.2% of generation; solar power made up most of the remainder (1.8%).
The power system is very small (under 1 TWh a year), so it is not included in share-based world rankings. A single plant can change its mix dramatically from one year to the next.
Electricity generation by source in 2024
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil | 0.55 | 98.2% | −1.8 |
| Solar | 0.01 | 1.8% | +1.8 |
| Total | 0.56 | 100% |
South Sudan: electricity in context
In 2024, South Sudan generated 560 GWh of electricity. That is similar to Liberia. The supply is almost entirely oil, which accounted for 98.2% of generation; solar power made up most of the remainder (1.8%).
1.8% of the country’s power came from renewable sources. This puts it 32 points below the world average of 33.8%. It is also below the average for Africa (24.7%). Each kilowatt-hour emitted on average 643 g CO₂e, against a world average of 458 g. That makes it one of the more carbon-intensive grids in the world.
Since 2014, oil has added the most generation in absolute terms (+70 GWh), yet its share of the mix fell by 1.8 percentage points because other sources grew even faster. Measured by share of the mix, solar power gained most, up 1.8 percentage points. Taken together, the renewable share rose by 1.8 percentage points over the decade. Total generation grew by 80 GWh over the same period. Carbon intensity dropped from 667 to 643 g/kWh, a 4% cut.
Coal has never been part of the power mix in South Sudan in any meaningful way.
Wind and solar together provided 1.8% of electricity (solar 1.8%, wind 0%), compared with 17.3% worldwide.
South Sudan generates 47 kWh of electricity per resident each year, 1% of the global average. South Sudan does not trade electricity with other countries: the grid is not interconnected with any neighbour.
How the power mix has changed
Electricity generation by source since 2012. Switch to shares to see the structural shift independent of demand growth.
Renewables and carbon intensity
South Sudan against the world and Africa averages.
Total energy: beyond electricity
Primary energy covers transport, heating and industry too. Per person, that is 613 kWh a year (world: 21,654).
Domestic extraction of coal, gas and oil, in energy terms.
Solar & wind farms: South Sudan
4 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 48 MW of solar and 0 MW of wind operating, plus 0 MW under construction or planned.
See them on the mapLargest solar & wind farms: South Sudan →
How does South Sudan compare?
South Sudan next to 6 neighbouring countries, plus regional and world averages. Click a column to sort; use “Compare” for full side-by-side charts.
| Country | Renewable % | Low-carbon % | Fossil % | gCO₂/kWh | kWh / person | Generation TWh | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Sudan | 1.8% | 1.8% | 98.2% | 643 | 47 | 0.6 | — | |
| Ethiopia | 100% | 100% | 0% | 23 | 246 | 33.4 | Compare | |
| DR Congo | 100% | 100% | 0% | 28 | 146 | 15.9 | Compare | |
| Sudan | 79.7% | 79.7% | 20.3% | 154 | 293 | 14.8 | Compare | |
| Kenya | 90% | 90% | 10% | 95 | 244 | 14 | Compare | |
| Uganda | 97.1% | 97.1% | 2.9% | 59 | 116 | 5.8 | Compare | |
| Rwanda | 49.6% | 49.6% | 50.4% | 354 | 79 | 1.1 | Compare | |
| Africa average | 24.7% | 25.5% | 74.5% | 544 | 635 | 962 | Compare | |
| World average | 33.8% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 458 | 3,860 | 31,772 | Compare |
Calculators for South Sudan
South Sudan energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in South Sudan is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in South Sudan?
How clean is the electricity in South Sudan?
How much electricity does South Sudan use per person?
How much solar power does South Sudan produce?
More countries in Africa
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries
- World Resources Institute: Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0) — power plant locations and capacity
Electricity data: Ember and Energy Institute Statistical Review via Our World in Data (CC BY 4.0); latest year 2024. Power plants: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). Rankings exclude systems under 1 TWh and values older than 2020. Figures may be revised by the original publishers.