Two years of intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have devastated the country’s power infrastructure, leaving only two of Sudan’s 15 thermal power plants operational. The ongoing conflict has turned major cities into battlegrounds, crippling electricity generation and leaving residents in prolonged darkness.
Widespread Sabotage Leaves Grid in Ruins
According to the Sudanese Electricity Company, nearly 40% of the country’s power capacity has been lost due to attacks on infrastructure. Of the 15 thermal plants, seven have been partially or completely destroyed, including a key facility in the capital, Khartoum.
“The war the rebels started has caused massive damage to power generation, transmission, and distribution systems,” an official stated. The destruction has led to daily blackouts exceeding 10 hours in critical areas like Khartoum and Port Sudan, severely disrupting daily life.
Residents Struggle Amid Power and Water Shortages
With the national grid collapsing, many rely on home generators—but even these are failing due to stolen wiring and fuel shortages. “Our electrical wires, along with our neighbors’, have been stolen,” one resident lamented.
The crisis has also triggered a water supply disaster, forcing people to drink untreated well or river water. “We are getting sick from unpurified water,” said another resident, highlighting the growing humanitarian toll.
Displaced Populations Return to a Broken System
Despite the devastation, millions of displaced Sudanese are returning to regions like Khartoum, Sennar, and Al Jazirah, where relative safety has been reported. However, they face new challenges: a near-total lack of electricity, water, and basic services.
Officials warn that rebuilding the power sector will require starting from scratch, but with ongoing clashes and economic collapse, recovery remains a distant hope. As blackouts persist, Sudan’s crisis deepens—leaving its people in the dark, both literally and figuratively.
