Face of Truth: 950 Megawatts to the National Grid
Ibrahim Shglawi
Infrastructure projects—particularly in the energy sector—are key indicators of a state’s ability to restore its core functions and reaffirm national sovereignty, especially in post-war contexts or during phases of political transition. In Sudan’s case, electricity stands as one of the most critical pillars of state reconstruction and a strategic foundation for political stability, economic growth, and social development.
In this context, the recent signing of a contract to resume work on the Kalanaib power plant—announced two days ago in Istanbul, Turkey, according to Sudansawa—carries added significance. It is not merely the revival of a long-stalled project, but a politically and administratively symbolic act, particularly in a domestic environment marked by rising insecurity, weakened state performance, and eroding public trust in service institutions.
The contract to resume operations at the Qarri and Kalanaib power stations—two major strategic projects located in Khartoum and the Red Sea State—is a crucial development. The project stems from a 2016 agreement between the Sudanese government and the German company Siemens, aiming to construct two plants with a combined capacity of 950 megawatts.
Despite delays due to political turmoil, the new contract—signed under the direct supervision of former Energy Minister Dr. Mohieddine Al-Naeem—has brought the project back to the forefront of Sudan’s development priorities. Many observers have hailed it as a qualitative breakthrough, demonstrating that large-scale national projects can be revived when technical leadership and political will align.
Energy projects have become one of the most tangible expressions of state sovereignty in Sudan. Electricity, as a vital and daily necessity, now serves as a benchmark for evaluating the government’s commitment to its people and its ability to fulfill its essential duties.
Against this backdrop, the earlier visit by Prime Minister Dr. Kamal Idris to the Kalanaib plant is strategically meaningful. It reflects that the “Government of Hope” understands the importance of linking political legitimacy with development delivery, using infrastructure as a lever to rebuild trust and reinforce executive authority. Similar visits to other development sites are expected.
The selection of Kalanaib in Port Sudan, alongside Qarri in Khartoum, reflects a conscious effort to ensure geographic equity in energy distribution between the center and the peripheries. While Qarri supports manufacturing and the Khartoum refinery, Kalanaib will enhance port operations and maritime industries and produce clean drinking water—contributing directly to resolving chronic water scarcity in the region. In this sense, electricity becomes a tool for regional balance and national integration.
The Kalanaib project is part of a broader vision set forth by the Ministry of Water Resources and Electricity in 2015, which aimed to raise Sudan’s installed capacity to 6,500 megawatts by 2030. This strategy includes expanding thermal generation, promoting renewable energy sources, and adopting high-efficiency combined-cycle systems aligned with environmental sustainability standards.
However, political instability has frozen implementation, raising serious questions about the Sudanese state’s ability to stick to long-term strategic plans. In recent years, the electricity sector has suffered from institutional weakness and a lack of coherent vision. Today’s efforts to revive it offer a historic opportunity to redefine the state’s developmental role.
Kalanaib stands as a model for integrating the goals of sustainable development—by combining energy and water security. It opens the door to replicating the experience in other underserved states. Moreover, reactivating the project signals a shift from purely technical solutions toward strategic, results-driven planning.
Notably, the contract signing sparked a wave of public optimism, fueled by the hope of improved living conditions. According to analysts, it is equally important to recognize the pivotal role played by Dr. Mohieddine Al-Naeem in reviving the Kalanaib project, despite the institutional and political challenges facing the sector.
Dr. Al-Naeem is known as an independent national figure with extensive experience in energy, training, and public administration, along with diverse academic qualifications in law and management. Many observers believe that reappointing him in the upcoming cabinet could help reinforce technical stability within the energy sector—offering the kind of qualified leadership needed to turn visions into measurable, effective outcomes.
The pressing question remains:
In the face of fragile political and economic conditions, does the Sudanese government possess the will and institutional capacity to turn this vision and contract into real electricity?
Can it swiftly deliver the 950 megawatts so desperately needed by a national grid devastated by the treacherous attacks of the Rapid Support Forces militia and their enablers?
Warm regards,
Tuesday, 31 June 2025
📧 Shglawi55@gmail.com