Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis

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The country relies on imported diesel for electricity generation, besides having limited focus on renewable energy development. This policy brief sheds light on the potential of renewable energy as a solution to South Sudan’s ongoing electricity crisis. It examines the key factors hindering the development of renewable energy resources for electricity generation in the country. The brief also provides recommendations to the Government of South Sudan, policymakers, experts, and funding institutions on how to improve electricity access in the country. It is stressing on the importance of prioritising the development of diverse renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, and small hydropower, as an immediate solution to the electricity access challenges in the country." } { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "1", "item": { "@id": "https://f1000research.com/", "name": "Home" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "2", "item": { "@id": "https://f1000research.com/browse/articles", "name": "Browse" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "3", "item": { "@id": "https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267", "name": "Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis" } } ] } Home Browse Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis ALL Metrics - Views Downloads Get PDF Get XML Cite How to cite this article Ayik A and Ijumba N. Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.157192.3 ) NOTE: If applicable, it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. Close Copy Citation Details Export Export Citation Sciwheel EndNote Ref. Manager Bibtex ProCite Sente EXPORT Select a format first Track Share ▬ ✚ Policy Brief Revised Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] Aban Ayik https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6236-7532 1,2 , Nelson Ijumba https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6194-7084 1,3 Aban Ayik https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6236-7532 1,2 , Nelson Ijumba https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6194-7084 1,3 PUBLISHED 08 Oct 2025 Author details Author details 1 African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 2 School of Engineering, University of Juba, Juba, South Sudan 3 School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa Aban Ayik Roles: Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation Nelson Ijumba Roles: Conceptualization, Writing – Review & Editing OPEN PEER REVIEW DETAILS REVIEWER STATUS This article is included in the Energy gateway. Abstract South Sudan is one of the least electrified countries in the world, despite having abundant renewable energy resources that could be exploited to generate electricity. The country relies on imported diesel for electricity generation, besides having limited focus on renewable energy development. This policy brief sheds light on the potential of renewable energy as a solution to South Sudan’s ongoing electricity crisis. It examines the key factors hindering the development of renewable energy resources for electricity generation in the country. The brief also provides recommendations to the Government of South Sudan, policymakers, experts, and funding institutions on how to improve electricity access in the country. It is stressing on the importance of prioritising the development of diverse renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, and small hydropower, as an immediate solution to the electricity access challenges in the country. READ ALL READ LESS Keywords Electricity access, renewable energy, policy recommendations, strategic plan, South Sudan. Corresponding Author(s) Aban Ayik ( [email protected] ) Close Corresponding author: Aban Ayik Competing interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Grant information: The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work. Copyright: © 2025 Ayik A and Ijumba N. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. How to cite: Ayik A and Ijumba N. Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.157192.3 ) First published: 23 Oct 2024, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.157192.1 ) Latest published: 08 Oct 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.157192.3 ) Revised Amendments from Version 2 In Version 3 of the article, we have addressed the comments from both reviewers. Specifically, in response to reviewer 1, we added new text supported by a citation. In response to reviewer 2, we included additional text and removed reference 13 of Version 2 of the article. In Version 3 of the article, we have addressed the comments from both reviewers. Specifically, in response to reviewer 1, we added new text supported by a citation. In response to reviewer 2, we included additional text and removed reference 13 of Version 2 of the article. See the authors' detailed response to the review by Barnaby Joseph Dye See the authors' detailed response to the review by Taco Niet READ REVIEWER RESPONSES Introduction South Sudan became independent in 2011 after a 21-year civil war that ended in 2005. From 2005 until independence, South Sudan was autonomous and organizations such as the World Bank and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were actively involved in development projects since that period. The country has also experienced internal conflicts after independence, particularly in 2013 and 2016. The civil war and internal conflicts contributed to damaging the country’s infrastructure, including its electricity infrastructure, and delayed various development projects. 1 South Sudan has a low population density, estimated at 13 people per km 2 in 2009, with more than 80% of the population living in rural areas, where they rely on fire wood for their energy needs. 2 This low population density has made it difficult to develop infrastructure and provide essential services efficiently, as the scattered population increases costs and reduces economic viability. 2 The electricity sector in South Sudan is underdeveloped. The exact number of people with access to reliable electricity is unknown due to a lack of official data. However, organizations such as the World Bank and IRENA estimated that in 2023, the percentage of the population with access to reliable electricity was between 5.4% and 8.4%. 2 , 3 Although South Sudan is rich in oil, it has no operational oil refineries and it depends on imported diesel for electricity generation. The current operational thermal power plants are mainly located in the capital city, Juba. In addition, there is no national electric grid to transmit the electricity generated in and around Juba to other parts of the country. The Government has been planning to improve the electricity access in South Sudan by building a national transmission network in addition to constructing a large hydropower plant. 4 However, government reports indicate that most of these plans have not succeeded, mainly due to financial constraints. A number of studies have shown that South Sudan has abundant renewable energy resources that can be exploited to generate electricity for almost the entire country. 5 – 7 However, renewable electricity remains negligible in the power generation mix in South Sudan. Countries in the region such as Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda are already improving their electricity access by using on-grid and off-grid renewable energy solutions such as solar, wind, and hydropower. So, what is preventing South Sudan from similarly unlocking its local renewable energy potential to improve its electricity access? The aim of this policy brief is to examine the key factors delaying the development of renewable energy in South Sudan and to propose recommendations for improvement through exploitation of renewable energy resources. Policy outcomes and implications a) Available renewable energy capacity Figure 1(a-c) shows the solar, wind and small hydropower potentials of South Sudan. Solar energy is the most abundant renewable resource throughout the country. Many locations receive annual global irradiation above 5.0 kWh/m 2 , making it feasible for the development of large-scale solar power plants. Wind potential is generally low in the country, but there are areas where the annual average wind speed reaches 5.08 m/s at a height of 10 meters, 8 and therefore small wind turbines could be developed there. There are about 82 potential small hydropower sites along the White Nile and Kaya rivers, in the southern parts of South Sudan, which can produce a total output power of 165.69 MW. 9 b) Factors limiting renewable energy uptake in South Sudan The following were identified as contributing factors to the poor uptake of renewable energy in South Sudan: i. Limited focus on renewable energy resources in South Sudan’s Strategic and National Development Plans In South Sudan’s Vision 2040, renewable energy resources are not prioritised. Vision 2040 only highlights hydropower development as a strategic priority, with no mention of other renewable energy resources. In 2013, the World Bank recommended that South Sudan develop mini hydropower sites as a quick solution to improve electricity access while waiting for large hydropower projects, which are expected to take considerable time to be commissioned. 10 In the Revised National Development Strategy (R-NDS) 2021-2024, 4 which is the current national development plan anticipated to guide South Sudan’s economic growth, it is stated that the country will invest in renewable energy, specifically large hydropower. The Fula hydropower project (1080 MW) was prioritised and allocated funding, and construction was scheduled to begin in 2022 and is expected to take 10 years to complete. However, work has not yet begun due to financial constraints. ii. Reliance on imported electricity from neighbouring countries Authorities in South Sudan have been focusing on importing electricity from neighbouring countries since 2011, although importing electricity is not a strategic priority in South Sudan’s national development plans. Electricity has been supplied to Renk, a county in the northern part of South Sudan, from Sudan since 2007 and this continued after the country’s independence in 2011. 11 According to official sources, South Sudan contracted for up to 40 MW of cross-border supply capacity from Sudan, transmitted mainly from the Roseires and Merowe dams to Renk. However, actual electricity consumption has been much lower and is measured in kWh/MWh at Renk substation annually by Sudanese teams for revenue calculations. 11 The imported electricity was expected to reach 140 MW by 2016 as it was anticipated to be transmitted to other towns nearby Malakal. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended as planned resulting in low demand. Thus, as of 2022, electricity used in Renk was estimated at only about 5% of the contracted supply capacity, reflecting very low capacity utilization. 12 Additionally, since 2013, there have also been plans to import electricity from Ethiopia, which continue to this day. 10 , 13 New plans include importing electricity from Uganda to provide power to towns at the border between Uganda and South Sudan. iii. Lack of an independent regulatory authority The South Sudan National Electricity Bill 2015 was developed to establish an autonomous electricity regulatory body to oversee “generation, transmission, bulk supply, distribution, supply, export, import, and operation of electricity, along with related matters” 14 in South Sudan. One of the main objectives of the Bill is the promotion of renewable energy in the country. However, up to date, the Bill remains inactive. Currently, the Southern Sudan Electricity Corporation Act, 2011, is the primary law governing the electricity sector in South Sudan. In the 2011 Act, there is no clear distinction between the roles of the government as operator, regulator, and policy maker. Also, the 2011 Act does not mention anything about supporting renewable energy in the country. iv. Lack of private sector investment South Sudan Vision 2040 and the R-NDS recognize the role of the private sector in contributing to achieving economic growth and sustainable development in the country and the need for regulation to encourage their participation. Also, the 2015 Electricity Bill encourages private sector participation in the electricity market in South Sudan. However, there is lack of clear framework and incentives for private sector investment in renewable energy or electricity sector in the country. v. Peace and stability South Sudan has a long history of war and internal conflicts both before and after independence. Since 2018, the country has been relatively peaceful, allowing for the implementing various projects, such as the rehabilitation and extension of Juba distribution lines, several road projects, and others. Renewable energy projects generally have longer payback periods compared to thermal or diesel power plant projects. The payback period is the time required to recover the funds invested in the project. One of the most important factors in attracting investment in long term infrastructure projects, such as renewable energy projects, is ensuring that nothing interrupts the project implementation before it exceeds its payback period and starts generating profits. Therefore, investors need guarantees, through the political environment in the country, that South Sudan will remain peaceful and politically stable to encourage both local and foreign investment. The country must be stable, especially in locations anticipated for development. c) Implications i. Lack of clear policy priorities : Without clear goals and policy priorities for the development of renewable energy resources outlined in South Sudan’s long-term and medium-term plans, authorities may not be able to allocate resources or create necessary regulations and incentives to encourage their development. ii. Unsustainability of electricity imports : Importing electricity from neighbouring countries may not be sustainable because electricity can be interrupted by different geopolitical factors. Additionally, importing electricity without proper planning can lead to underutilization of the contracted supply, which may result in higher costs. iii. Challenges with large hydropower development : Although hydropower is a renewable energy resource, it faces significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Hydropower contributes to aquatic life disruption as obstruction of river flow affects downstream habitats, machinery operation harms fish and other species, and imbalances arise between upstream and downstream ecosystems 1. 3 Besides, submerged vegetation and soil decompose, releasing methane and carbon dioxide. LHP projects can also experience schedule delays and cost overruns due to heavy construction, machinery installation, social conflicts and resettlement issues. 15 iv. Conflict of interest and poor safety standards: Lack of a regulatory body can create an environment of lack of fairness and accountability, monopoly, corruption, conflict of interest, and poor safety standards. This can harm the public and the environment, discourage investors, and limit participation for investing in renewable energy projects. v. Dependence on public funding and foreign loans: As public funds alone are not enough to finance infrastructure projects, the lack of private sector investment may lead to limited investments and reliance on loans. As loans are paid back with interest, excessive loans can strain the national budget and create many economic problems which can increase the risk of renewable energy projects failure. vi. Higher investment risks: Lack of peace and stability in South Sudan may lead to higher investment risks which can discourage both local and international investors to invest in renewable energy projects. Figure 1. (a-c): Solar, wind, and small hydropower potential of South Sudan (sources: Global Solar and Wind Atlases and Ref. 9 ). Actionable recommendations The following are actionable recommendations for the Government of South Sudan, policy makers, experts, and regional and international institutions that support development projects in the country: i. Prioritise the development of diverse renewable energy resources in future development plans for South Sudan South Sudan has diverse renewable energy resources that can be used to generate electricity. While some locations lack large hydropower potential, they have abundant solar resources, along with potential for small wind turbines, biogas, and small and mini hydropower development. These technologies offer relatively lower capital cost compared to large hydropower projects. Also, some locations in the country have potential for the development of power from biomass and geothermal resources. Therefore, policy makers should prioritise, in the country’s future development plans, the exploration, assessment and development of other renewable energy resources beyond large hydropower in the country’s future development plans. ii. Prioritise developing a phased plan to build a national transmission and distribution network Building an electricity transmission network across a country, though costly, is essential for enabling increased access to electrical energy. Therefore, policy makers and experts should develop a comprehensive network construction plan that can be implemented in manageable phases. Regional and international financial institutions should prioritise funding such a project through grants and loans. Additionally, the government can look into partnership with the private sector. iii. Prioritise the establishment of an electricity regulatory authority To achieve sustainable energy goals, countries should establish institutions with clear policies and regulations to attract investments and grow their energy sectors, especially the renewable energy sector. 16 Therefore, South Sudan authorities and policy makers should prioritise the establishment of an autonomous South Sudan National Electricity Regulatory Authority. The authority is expected to be autonomous, while implementing government policies and regulations and managed by technical experts rather than by politically appointed individuals. This will ensure a clear separation of roles between the regulator and policymaker. It will also promote transparency and fairness, high safety standards, and encourage companies to invest in the electricity sector in the country, particularly the renewable energy sector. iv. Invest in mini-grids and off-grid solar energy projects It would not be possible for the national transmission grid to cover the whole country due to costs, low population density, and physical terrain considerations. Therefore, there would still be a need for investing in mini-grid and off-grid systems, particularly in rural and remote areas, where the majority of the population lives. Since solar energy potential is high throughout South Sudan, solar energy-based mini-grids and off-grid systems can offer viable solutions to improve electricity access in these locations. v. Incentivising investors and private energy property developers To attract investors and private companies it is essential to make investments in renewable energy projects attractive. This is possible by providing grants and tax incentives, as well as simplifying regulations for investing in such projects. vi. Conduct thorough techno-economic studies on importing electricity to South Sudan One of the benefits of the East African Community (EAC) regional integration is the sharing of energy resources through interconnections, where countries with excess electricity export to countries with lower capacity or higher demand. South Sudan can benefit from importing electricity from neighbouring countries to improve electricity access. However, it is important for South Sudan to first prioritize the development of its national transmission and distribution networks before planning to import electricity to ensure it can effectively transmit and distribute the imported electricity. Additionally, it is imperative to conduct in-depth techno-economic studies to assess the feasibility of importing electricity from neighbouring countries versus developing local renewable energy resources. It is also important to study the possibility of building transmission lines which support bidirectional power flow for potential future electricity trade with the region. Ethics and consent Ethical approval and consent were not required. Data availability No data are associated with this article. References 1. World Bank Group: South Sudan Overview: Development news, research, data|World Bank.2024. (accessed Mar. 06, 2025). Reference Source 2. IEA, IRENA, UNSD, World Bank, WHO: Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Tracking Report.2024. Reference Source 3. World Bank Group: Access to electricity (% of population) - South Sudan|Data.2022. Reference Source 4. GRSS and UNDP: Revised National Development Strategy 2021–2024: Consolidate peace and stabilize the economy. Juba: 2021. 5. Ayik A, Ijumba N, Kabiri C, et al. : Techno-Economic Modeling of Stand-Alone Solar Photovoltaic Systems: A Case Scenario from South Sudan. SAIEE Africa Res. J. 2024; 115 (2): 55–68. Publisher Full Text 6. Ayik A, Ijumba N, Kabiri C, et al. : Estimation of Solar Resource Potential in South Sudan Using Heliosat-4 Method. In 2018 IEEE PES Asia-Pacific Power and Energy Engineering Conference (APPEEC). Oct. 2018; vol. 2018-Octob , pp. 487–492. Publisher Full Text 7. Gudo AJA, Belete M, Abubakar GA, et al. : Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Solar Energy Potential for Domestic and Agricultural Utilization to Diminish Poverty in Jubek State, South Sudan, Africa. Energies. 2020; 13 (1399). Publisher Full Text 8. Ayik A, Ijumba N, Kabiri C, et al. : Preliminary wind resource assessment in South Sudan using reanalysis data and statistical methods. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. Mar. 2021; 138 : 110621. Publisher Full Text 9. Ayik A, Ijumba N, Kabiri C, et al. : Preliminary assessment of small hydropower potential using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model: A case study of Central Equatoria State, South Sudan. Energy Rep. Dec. 2023; 9 : 2229–2246. Publisher Full Text 10. The World Bank: Republic of South Sudan: Electricity Sector Strategy Note for South Sudan.2013. 11. Ministry of Electricity and Dams (South Sudan)United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): The Republic of South Sudan Sustainable Energy for All Rapid Situation Assessment and Gap Analysis Report.2013. 12. Eye Radio: Renk assures willing investors of stable power supply.2022. (accessed Jul. 02, 2024). Reference Source 13. The East African: South Sudan signs up for Ethiopia Dam power.2022. (accessed Jul. 02, 2024). Reference Source 14. South Sudan National Electricity Bill. Juba, South Sudan: Ministry of Justice; 2015. 15. Singal SK, Goel V, Nautiyal H, et al. : Small Hydropower: Design and Analysis. San Diego:Elsevier; 2023. ISBN: 9780323917575. 16. Drago C, Gatto A: Policy, regulation effectiveness, and sustainability in the energy sector: A worldwide interval-based composite indicator. Energy Policy. 2022; 167 : 112889. Publisher Full Text Comments on this article Comments (0) Version 3 VERSION 3 PUBLISHED 23 Oct 2024 ADD YOUR COMMENT Comment Author details Author details 1 African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 2 School of Engineering, University of Juba, Juba, South Sudan 3 School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa Aban Ayik Roles: Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation Nelson Ijumba Roles: Conceptualization, Writing – Review & Editing Competing interests No competing interests were disclosed. Grant information The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work. Article Versions (3) version 3 Revised Published: 08 Oct 2025, 13:1267 https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.157192.3 version 2 Revised Published: 31 Mar 2025, 13:1267 https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.157192.2 version 1 Published: 23 Oct 2024, 13:1267 https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.157192.1 Copyright © 2025 Ayik A and Ijumba N. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Download Export To Sciwheel Bibtex EndNote ProCite Ref. Manager (RIS) Sente metrics Views Downloads F1000Research - - PubMed Central info_outline Data from PMC are received and updated monthly. - - Citations open_in_new 0 open_in_new 0 open_in_new SEE MORE DETAILS CITE how to cite this article Ayik A and Ijumba N. Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.157192.3 ) NOTE: If applicable, it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS track receive updates on this article Track an article to receive email alerts on any updates to this article. TRACK THIS ARTICLE Share Open Peer Review Current Reviewer Status: ? Key to Reviewer Statuses VIEW HIDE Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions Version 3 VERSION 3 PUBLISHED 08 Oct 2025 Revised Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: Niet T. Reviewer Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.189284.r421735 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v3#referee-response-421735 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 09 Oct 2025 Taco Niet , Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada Approved VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.189284.r421735 Thank you for addressing most of my comments. I, however, still find the units and description in Factors ii confusing and unclear. Electricity imports are usually measured in MWh or GWh not MW. Contracted capacity is different than ... Continue reading READ ALL Thank you for addressing most of my comments. I, however, still find the units and description in Factors ii confusing and unclear. Electricity imports are usually measured in MWh or GWh not MW. Contracted capacity is different than capacity factor. How often does the line get used at it's 40MW capacity? If it is used sometimes at the 40 MW capacity, no matter how rarely, S. Sudan is getting the contracted capacity, irrespective of how much energy (MWh or GWh) is actually imported over a year on the line. "imported electricity was expected to reach 140 MW" again uses a capacity number for what should be an imported energy number (MWh). How much energy is expected to be imported vs. what is actually imported (due to line restrictions, etc.)? "electricity used in Renk was estimated at only about 5% of the contracted supply capacity" again, electricity used (in GWh or MWh) doesn't correspond to 5% of a capacity figure (MW). Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: Energy Systems, Sustainable Energy, Energy Systems Modelling, Renewable Energy, Energy Storage I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT Niet T. Reviewer Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.189284.r421735 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v3#referee-response-421735 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Version 2 VERSION 2 PUBLISHED 31 Mar 2025 Revised Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: Joseph Dye B. Reviewer Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179401.r374555 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v2#referee-response-374555 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 29 May 2025 Barnaby Joseph Dye , King's College London, London, England, UK Approved VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179401.r374555 I welcome the authors' attempts to engage in the reviews and make some substantial changes. I would still want further engagement with the politics of the subject matter and the policies discussed, and the dynamics of conflict which affect the ... Continue reading READ ALL I welcome the authors' attempts to engage in the reviews and make some substantial changes. I would still want further engagement with the politics of the subject matter and the policies discussed, and the dynamics of conflict which affect the ability to plan and deliver electricity in South Sudan, shaping the politics of what is generated, by what technology, where and delivered to whom. However, I understand that limits of what the authors are able to achieve here and the article provides a useful overview as well as technical details. Policy Outcomes and Implications - Point V: Is Political prioritization a factor/the ideology of those in power/ their priorities Also do they have ability to mobilize resources – do those in power control enough of the state and the country for a renewable energy policy to be enacted – is there enough political agreement across different parties. I wouldn’t expect this to be answered in depth, but a suggestion of these political factors would be welcome. Challenges with Hydropower Development - iii - also environmental negatives and economic implications of that? Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: Development studies, Africa Studies, Political Economy, The politics of infrastructure and the electricity Sector in Africa I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT Joseph Dye B. Reviewer Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179401.r374555 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v2#referee-response-374555 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Author Response 13 Oct 2025 Aban Ayik , African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 13 Oct 2025 Author Response Comment 1: I welcome the authors' attempts to engage in the reviews and make some substantial changes. I would still want further engagement with the politics of the subject matter ... Continue reading Comment 1: I welcome the authors' attempts to engage in the reviews and make some substantial changes. I would still want further engagement with the politics of the subject matter and the policies discussed, and the dynamics of conflict which affect the ability to plan and deliver electricity in South Sudan, shaping the politics of what is generated, by what technology, where and delivered to whom. However, I understand that limits of what the authors are able to achieve here and the article provides a useful overview as well as technical details. Policy Outcomes and Implications - Point V: Is Political prioritization a factor/the ideology of those in power/ their priorities. Also do they have ability to mobilize resources – do those in power control enough of the state and the country for a renewable energy policy to be enacted – is there enough political agreement across different parties. I wouldn’t expect this to be answered in depth, but a suggestion of these political factors would be welcome. Our response: We appreciate your comments and feedback. The situation in South Sudan is complex. While there seems to be political interest in promoting renewable energy, the lack of technical guidance and understanding among policymakers prevents projects from progressing as anticipated. Many technical decisions are taken by politicians instead of technical experts. The government can have political will but still fail if policies are dominated by politics rather than technical input. Also, mobilising resources alone is not enough without giving the responsibility to the right experts. In addition, there is little political agreement across parties in the country, which makes it challenging to sustain long-term policies. So, even if politicians prioritise power projects, nothing much will change if things are not done as they should be. Without agreement on reducing political interference, renewable energy policies and projects may not succeed. We have previously addressed this under policy outcomes and implications point (iii) and under actionable recommendations point (iii). Comment 2: Challenges with Hydropower Development - iii - also environmental negatives and economic implications of that? Our response: We have updated Challenges with Hydropower Development – iii as follows: Challenges with large hydropower development : Although hydropower is a renewable energy resource, it faces significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Hydropower contributes to aquatic life disruption as obstruction of river flow affects downstream habitat, machinery operation harms fish and other species, and imbalance arises between upstream and downstream ecosystems. Also, submerged vegetation and soil decompose, releasing methane and carbon dioxide. LHP projects can have schedule and cost overruns mainly due to heavy construction, machinery installation, social conflicts and resettlement issues. Furthermore, river re-routing or river flow curtailments can impact on downstream fishing and agricultural activities. Comment 1: I welcome the authors' attempts to engage in the reviews and make some substantial changes. I would still want further engagement with the politics of the subject matter and the policies discussed, and the dynamics of conflict which affect the ability to plan and deliver electricity in South Sudan, shaping the politics of what is generated, by what technology, where and delivered to whom. However, I understand that limits of what the authors are able to achieve here and the article provides a useful overview as well as technical details. Policy Outcomes and Implications - Point V: Is Political prioritization a factor/the ideology of those in power/ their priorities. Also do they have ability to mobilize resources – do those in power control enough of the state and the country for a renewable energy policy to be enacted – is there enough political agreement across different parties. I wouldn’t expect this to be answered in depth, but a suggestion of these political factors would be welcome. Our response: We appreciate your comments and feedback. The situation in South Sudan is complex. While there seems to be political interest in promoting renewable energy, the lack of technical guidance and understanding among policymakers prevents projects from progressing as anticipated. Many technical decisions are taken by politicians instead of technical experts. The government can have political will but still fail if policies are dominated by politics rather than technical input. Also, mobilising resources alone is not enough without giving the responsibility to the right experts. In addition, there is little political agreement across parties in the country, which makes it challenging to sustain long-term policies. So, even if politicians prioritise power projects, nothing much will change if things are not done as they should be. Without agreement on reducing political interference, renewable energy policies and projects may not succeed. We have previously addressed this under policy outcomes and implications point (iii) and under actionable recommendations point (iii). Comment 2: Challenges with Hydropower Development - iii - also environmental negatives and economic implications of that? Our response: We have updated Challenges with Hydropower Development – iii as follows: Challenges with large hydropower development : Although hydropower is a renewable energy resource, it faces significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Hydropower contributes to aquatic life disruption as obstruction of river flow affects downstream habitat, machinery operation harms fish and other species, and imbalance arises between upstream and downstream ecosystems. Also, submerged vegetation and soil decompose, releasing methane and carbon dioxide. LHP projects can have schedule and cost overruns mainly due to heavy construction, machinery installation, social conflicts and resettlement issues. Furthermore, river re-routing or river flow curtailments can impact on downstream fishing and agricultural activities. Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests Close Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT Author Response 13 Oct 2025 Aban Ayik , African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 13 Oct 2025 Author Response Comment 1: I welcome the authors' attempts to engage in the reviews and make some substantial changes. I would still want further engagement with the politics of the subject matter ... Continue reading Comment 1: I welcome the authors' attempts to engage in the reviews and make some substantial changes. I would still want further engagement with the politics of the subject matter and the policies discussed, and the dynamics of conflict which affect the ability to plan and deliver electricity in South Sudan, shaping the politics of what is generated, by what technology, where and delivered to whom. However, I understand that limits of what the authors are able to achieve here and the article provides a useful overview as well as technical details. Policy Outcomes and Implications - Point V: Is Political prioritization a factor/the ideology of those in power/ their priorities. Also do they have ability to mobilize resources – do those in power control enough of the state and the country for a renewable energy policy to be enacted – is there enough political agreement across different parties. I wouldn’t expect this to be answered in depth, but a suggestion of these political factors would be welcome. Our response: We appreciate your comments and feedback. The situation in South Sudan is complex. While there seems to be political interest in promoting renewable energy, the lack of technical guidance and understanding among policymakers prevents projects from progressing as anticipated. Many technical decisions are taken by politicians instead of technical experts. The government can have political will but still fail if policies are dominated by politics rather than technical input. Also, mobilising resources alone is not enough without giving the responsibility to the right experts. In addition, there is little political agreement across parties in the country, which makes it challenging to sustain long-term policies. So, even if politicians prioritise power projects, nothing much will change if things are not done as they should be. Without agreement on reducing political interference, renewable energy policies and projects may not succeed. We have previously addressed this under policy outcomes and implications point (iii) and under actionable recommendations point (iii). Comment 2: Challenges with Hydropower Development - iii - also environmental negatives and economic implications of that? Our response: We have updated Challenges with Hydropower Development – iii as follows: Challenges with large hydropower development : Although hydropower is a renewable energy resource, it faces significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Hydropower contributes to aquatic life disruption as obstruction of river flow affects downstream habitat, machinery operation harms fish and other species, and imbalance arises between upstream and downstream ecosystems. Also, submerged vegetation and soil decompose, releasing methane and carbon dioxide. LHP projects can have schedule and cost overruns mainly due to heavy construction, machinery installation, social conflicts and resettlement issues. Furthermore, river re-routing or river flow curtailments can impact on downstream fishing and agricultural activities. Comment 1: I welcome the authors' attempts to engage in the reviews and make some substantial changes. I would still want further engagement with the politics of the subject matter and the policies discussed, and the dynamics of conflict which affect the ability to plan and deliver electricity in South Sudan, shaping the politics of what is generated, by what technology, where and delivered to whom. However, I understand that limits of what the authors are able to achieve here and the article provides a useful overview as well as technical details. Policy Outcomes and Implications - Point V: Is Political prioritization a factor/the ideology of those in power/ their priorities. Also do they have ability to mobilize resources – do those in power control enough of the state and the country for a renewable energy policy to be enacted – is there enough political agreement across different parties. I wouldn’t expect this to be answered in depth, but a suggestion of these political factors would be welcome. Our response: We appreciate your comments and feedback. The situation in South Sudan is complex. While there seems to be political interest in promoting renewable energy, the lack of technical guidance and understanding among policymakers prevents projects from progressing as anticipated. Many technical decisions are taken by politicians instead of technical experts. The government can have political will but still fail if policies are dominated by politics rather than technical input. Also, mobilising resources alone is not enough without giving the responsibility to the right experts. In addition, there is little political agreement across parties in the country, which makes it challenging to sustain long-term policies. So, even if politicians prioritise power projects, nothing much will change if things are not done as they should be. Without agreement on reducing political interference, renewable energy policies and projects may not succeed. We have previously addressed this under policy outcomes and implications point (iii) and under actionable recommendations point (iii). Comment 2: Challenges with Hydropower Development - iii - also environmental negatives and economic implications of that? Our response: We have updated Challenges with Hydropower Development – iii as follows: Challenges with large hydropower development : Although hydropower is a renewable energy resource, it faces significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Hydropower contributes to aquatic life disruption as obstruction of river flow affects downstream habitat, machinery operation harms fish and other species, and imbalance arises between upstream and downstream ecosystems. Also, submerged vegetation and soil decompose, releasing methane and carbon dioxide. LHP projects can have schedule and cost overruns mainly due to heavy construction, machinery installation, social conflicts and resettlement issues. Furthermore, river re-routing or river flow curtailments can impact on downstream fishing and agricultural activities. Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests Close Report a concern COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: Niet T. Reviewer Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179401.r374556 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v2#referee-response-374556 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 02 Apr 2025 Taco Niet , Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada Approved with Reservations VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179401.r374556 Overall you have addressed most of my points. However, one point remains wrt the energy imported to South Sudan under Factors ii. 1. 40 MW is not a suitable unit for imported electricity. That may be the potential capacity ... Continue reading READ ALL Overall you have addressed most of my points. However, one point remains wrt the energy imported to South Sudan under Factors ii. 1. 40 MW is not a suitable unit for imported electricity. That may be the potential capacity but electricity imports are usually measured in MWh. 2. It is unclear from the paragraph what the specific situation is. Does South Sudan contract for up to 40 MW of capacity (continuously for the entire year) or for a given amount of electricity (in MWh)? Specify what the contract says as these are very different things. 3. The phrasing still says that South Sudan imports electricity that is then not used. The electricity system does not work that way. It is possible that South Sudan pays for up to 40 MW of capacity but is unable to utilize that capacity due to constraints on the system, or does South Sudan contract and pay for up to 40 MWh of electricity each year but is unable to actually import/use it. Clarify. Also, reference 13 does not link out correctly and goes to a 404 not found. Please update the link. Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: Energy Systems, Sustainable Energy, Energy Systems Modelling, Renewable Energy, Energy Storage I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT Niet T. Reviewer Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179401.r374556 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v2#referee-response-374556 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Author Response 13 Oct 2025 Aban Ayik , African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 13 Oct 2025 Author Response Comment 1: Overall you have addressed most of my points. However, one point remains wrt the energy imported to South Sudan under Factors ii. 1. 40 MW is not a ... Continue reading Comment 1: Overall you have addressed most of my points. However, one point remains wrt the energy imported to South Sudan under Factors ii. 1. 40 MW is not a suitable unit for imported electricity. That may be the potential capacity but electricity imports are usually measured in MWh. Our response: We thank you for your comments and input. We researched electricity imports from Sudan using several sources. Some details remain unclear, and the information presented reflects what we were able to verify through this research: We agree that electricity imports are generally reported in kWh/MWh rather than kW/MW. The 40 MW is the agreed power supply capacity, while the actual electricity imported (actual energy consumption) is recorded in kWh (or MWh) at Renk substation by Sudanese teams who then proceed to Juba for revenue calculations. Comment 2: It is unclear from the paragraph what the specific situation is. Does South Sudan contract for up to 40 MW of capacity (continuously for the entire year) or for a given amount of electricity (in MWh)? Specify what the contract says as these are very different things Our response: The exact terms of the contract remain unclear from the sources available. Some sources state that the agreement was for up to 40 MW of supply capacity, but we could not verify whether this was intended as a continuous annual capacity arrangement or as a fixed supply in MWh. Comment 3: The phrasing still says that South Sudan imports electricity that is then not used. The electricity system does not work that way. It is possible that South Sudan pays for up to 40 MW of capacity but is unable to utilize that capacity due to constraints on the system, or does South Sudan contract and pay for up to 40 MWh of electricity each year but is unable to actually import/use it. Clarify. Our response: We agree that our previous statement did not fully explain the situation. South Sudan has a contract to import up to 40 MW of electricity from Sudan. However, actual utilization was much lower (about 5% of that capacity). Earlier, it was assumed that the full amount would be paid for regardless of usage. However, further information suggests that the exact payment arrangements are not entirely clear. We updated the text to clarify that the issue concerns underutilization of contracted capacity and not the importation of unused electricity as follows: ii. Reliance on imported electricity from neighbouring countries Authorities in South Sudan have been focusing on importing electricity from neighbouring countries since 2011, although electricity imports are not a strategic priority in the country’s national development plans. Electricity has been supplied to Renk, a county in the northern part of South Sudan, from Sudan since 2007 and continued after the country’s independence in 2011. According to official sources, South Sudan contracted for up to 40 MW of cross-border supply capacity from Sudan, transmitted mainly from the Roseires and Merowe dams to Renk. However, actual electricity consumption has been much lower and is measured in kWh/MWh at Renk substation annually by Sudanese teams for revenue calculations. The imported electricity was expected to reach 140 MW by 2016, as it was anticipated to be transmitted to other towns near Malakal. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built, and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended as planned, resulting in low demand. Thus, as of 2022, electricity used in Renk was estimated at only about 5% of the contracted supply capacity, reflecting very low capacity utilization. Additionally, since 2013, there have been ongoing plans to import electricity from Ethiopia, and more recently from Uganda, to supply towns along the border with South Sudan. c) Implications ii. Unsustainability of electricity imports : Importing electricity from neighbouring countries may not be sustainable because electricity can be interrupted by different geopolitical factors. Additionally, importing electricity without proper planning can lead to underutilization of the contracted supply, which may result in higher costs. Comment 4: Also, reference 13 does not link out correctly and goes to a 404 not found. Please update the link. Our response: Reference 13 has been removed. Comment 1: Overall you have addressed most of my points. However, one point remains wrt the energy imported to South Sudan under Factors ii. 1. 40 MW is not a suitable unit for imported electricity. That may be the potential capacity but electricity imports are usually measured in MWh. Our response: We thank you for your comments and input. We researched electricity imports from Sudan using several sources. Some details remain unclear, and the information presented reflects what we were able to verify through this research: We agree that electricity imports are generally reported in kWh/MWh rather than kW/MW. The 40 MW is the agreed power supply capacity, while the actual electricity imported (actual energy consumption) is recorded in kWh (or MWh) at Renk substation by Sudanese teams who then proceed to Juba for revenue calculations. Comment 2: It is unclear from the paragraph what the specific situation is. Does South Sudan contract for up to 40 MW of capacity (continuously for the entire year) or for a given amount of electricity (in MWh)? Specify what the contract says as these are very different things Our response: The exact terms of the contract remain unclear from the sources available. Some sources state that the agreement was for up to 40 MW of supply capacity, but we could not verify whether this was intended as a continuous annual capacity arrangement or as a fixed supply in MWh. Comment 3: The phrasing still says that South Sudan imports electricity that is then not used. The electricity system does not work that way. It is possible that South Sudan pays for up to 40 MW of capacity but is unable to utilize that capacity due to constraints on the system, or does South Sudan contract and pay for up to 40 MWh of electricity each year but is unable to actually import/use it. Clarify. Our response: We agree that our previous statement did not fully explain the situation. South Sudan has a contract to import up to 40 MW of electricity from Sudan. However, actual utilization was much lower (about 5% of that capacity). Earlier, it was assumed that the full amount would be paid for regardless of usage. However, further information suggests that the exact payment arrangements are not entirely clear. We updated the text to clarify that the issue concerns underutilization of contracted capacity and not the importation of unused electricity as follows: ii. Reliance on imported electricity from neighbouring countries Authorities in South Sudan have been focusing on importing electricity from neighbouring countries since 2011, although electricity imports are not a strategic priority in the country’s national development plans. Electricity has been supplied to Renk, a county in the northern part of South Sudan, from Sudan since 2007 and continued after the country’s independence in 2011. According to official sources, South Sudan contracted for up to 40 MW of cross-border supply capacity from Sudan, transmitted mainly from the Roseires and Merowe dams to Renk. However, actual electricity consumption has been much lower and is measured in kWh/MWh at Renk substation annually by Sudanese teams for revenue calculations. The imported electricity was expected to reach 140 MW by 2016, as it was anticipated to be transmitted to other towns near Malakal. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built, and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended as planned, resulting in low demand. Thus, as of 2022, electricity used in Renk was estimated at only about 5% of the contracted supply capacity, reflecting very low capacity utilization. Additionally, since 2013, there have been ongoing plans to import electricity from Ethiopia, and more recently from Uganda, to supply towns along the border with South Sudan. c) Implications ii. Unsustainability of electricity imports : Importing electricity from neighbouring countries may not be sustainable because electricity can be interrupted by different geopolitical factors. Additionally, importing electricity without proper planning can lead to underutilization of the contracted supply, which may result in higher costs. Comment 4: Also, reference 13 does not link out correctly and goes to a 404 not found. Please update the link. Our response: Reference 13 has been removed. Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests Close Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT Author Response 13 Oct 2025 Aban Ayik , African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 13 Oct 2025 Author Response Comment 1: Overall you have addressed most of my points. However, one point remains wrt the energy imported to South Sudan under Factors ii. 1. 40 MW is not a ... Continue reading Comment 1: Overall you have addressed most of my points. However, one point remains wrt the energy imported to South Sudan under Factors ii. 1. 40 MW is not a suitable unit for imported electricity. That may be the potential capacity but electricity imports are usually measured in MWh. Our response: We thank you for your comments and input. We researched electricity imports from Sudan using several sources. Some details remain unclear, and the information presented reflects what we were able to verify through this research: We agree that electricity imports are generally reported in kWh/MWh rather than kW/MW. The 40 MW is the agreed power supply capacity, while the actual electricity imported (actual energy consumption) is recorded in kWh (or MWh) at Renk substation by Sudanese teams who then proceed to Juba for revenue calculations. Comment 2: It is unclear from the paragraph what the specific situation is. Does South Sudan contract for up to 40 MW of capacity (continuously for the entire year) or for a given amount of electricity (in MWh)? Specify what the contract says as these are very different things Our response: The exact terms of the contract remain unclear from the sources available. Some sources state that the agreement was for up to 40 MW of supply capacity, but we could not verify whether this was intended as a continuous annual capacity arrangement or as a fixed supply in MWh. Comment 3: The phrasing still says that South Sudan imports electricity that is then not used. The electricity system does not work that way. It is possible that South Sudan pays for up to 40 MW of capacity but is unable to utilize that capacity due to constraints on the system, or does South Sudan contract and pay for up to 40 MWh of electricity each year but is unable to actually import/use it. Clarify. Our response: We agree that our previous statement did not fully explain the situation. South Sudan has a contract to import up to 40 MW of electricity from Sudan. However, actual utilization was much lower (about 5% of that capacity). Earlier, it was assumed that the full amount would be paid for regardless of usage. However, further information suggests that the exact payment arrangements are not entirely clear. We updated the text to clarify that the issue concerns underutilization of contracted capacity and not the importation of unused electricity as follows: ii. Reliance on imported electricity from neighbouring countries Authorities in South Sudan have been focusing on importing electricity from neighbouring countries since 2011, although electricity imports are not a strategic priority in the country’s national development plans. Electricity has been supplied to Renk, a county in the northern part of South Sudan, from Sudan since 2007 and continued after the country’s independence in 2011. According to official sources, South Sudan contracted for up to 40 MW of cross-border supply capacity from Sudan, transmitted mainly from the Roseires and Merowe dams to Renk. However, actual electricity consumption has been much lower and is measured in kWh/MWh at Renk substation annually by Sudanese teams for revenue calculations. The imported electricity was expected to reach 140 MW by 2016, as it was anticipated to be transmitted to other towns near Malakal. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built, and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended as planned, resulting in low demand. Thus, as of 2022, electricity used in Renk was estimated at only about 5% of the contracted supply capacity, reflecting very low capacity utilization. Additionally, since 2013, there have been ongoing plans to import electricity from Ethiopia, and more recently from Uganda, to supply towns along the border with South Sudan. c) Implications ii. Unsustainability of electricity imports : Importing electricity from neighbouring countries may not be sustainable because electricity can be interrupted by different geopolitical factors. Additionally, importing electricity without proper planning can lead to underutilization of the contracted supply, which may result in higher costs. Comment 4: Also, reference 13 does not link out correctly and goes to a 404 not found. Please update the link. Our response: Reference 13 has been removed. Comment 1: Overall you have addressed most of my points. However, one point remains wrt the energy imported to South Sudan under Factors ii. 1. 40 MW is not a suitable unit for imported electricity. That may be the potential capacity but electricity imports are usually measured in MWh. Our response: We thank you for your comments and input. We researched electricity imports from Sudan using several sources. Some details remain unclear, and the information presented reflects what we were able to verify through this research: We agree that electricity imports are generally reported in kWh/MWh rather than kW/MW. The 40 MW is the agreed power supply capacity, while the actual electricity imported (actual energy consumption) is recorded in kWh (or MWh) at Renk substation by Sudanese teams who then proceed to Juba for revenue calculations. Comment 2: It is unclear from the paragraph what the specific situation is. Does South Sudan contract for up to 40 MW of capacity (continuously for the entire year) or for a given amount of electricity (in MWh)? Specify what the contract says as these are very different things Our response: The exact terms of the contract remain unclear from the sources available. Some sources state that the agreement was for up to 40 MW of supply capacity, but we could not verify whether this was intended as a continuous annual capacity arrangement or as a fixed supply in MWh. Comment 3: The phrasing still says that South Sudan imports electricity that is then not used. The electricity system does not work that way. It is possible that South Sudan pays for up to 40 MW of capacity but is unable to utilize that capacity due to constraints on the system, or does South Sudan contract and pay for up to 40 MWh of electricity each year but is unable to actually import/use it. Clarify. Our response: We agree that our previous statement did not fully explain the situation. South Sudan has a contract to import up to 40 MW of electricity from Sudan. However, actual utilization was much lower (about 5% of that capacity). Earlier, it was assumed that the full amount would be paid for regardless of usage. However, further information suggests that the exact payment arrangements are not entirely clear. We updated the text to clarify that the issue concerns underutilization of contracted capacity and not the importation of unused electricity as follows: ii. Reliance on imported electricity from neighbouring countries Authorities in South Sudan have been focusing on importing electricity from neighbouring countries since 2011, although electricity imports are not a strategic priority in the country’s national development plans. Electricity has been supplied to Renk, a county in the northern part of South Sudan, from Sudan since 2007 and continued after the country’s independence in 2011. According to official sources, South Sudan contracted for up to 40 MW of cross-border supply capacity from Sudan, transmitted mainly from the Roseires and Merowe dams to Renk. However, actual electricity consumption has been much lower and is measured in kWh/MWh at Renk substation annually by Sudanese teams for revenue calculations. The imported electricity was expected to reach 140 MW by 2016, as it was anticipated to be transmitted to other towns near Malakal. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built, and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended as planned, resulting in low demand. Thus, as of 2022, electricity used in Renk was estimated at only about 5% of the contracted supply capacity, reflecting very low capacity utilization. Additionally, since 2013, there have been ongoing plans to import electricity from Ethiopia, and more recently from Uganda, to supply towns along the border with South Sudan. c) Implications ii. Unsustainability of electricity imports : Importing electricity from neighbouring countries may not be sustainable because electricity can be interrupted by different geopolitical factors. Additionally, importing electricity without proper planning can lead to underutilization of the contracted supply, which may result in higher costs. Comment 4: Also, reference 13 does not link out correctly and goes to a 404 not found. Please update the link. Our response: Reference 13 has been removed. Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests Close Report a concern COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Version 1 VERSION 1 PUBLISHED 23 Oct 2024 Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: Niet T. Reviewer Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.172610.r347920 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v1#referee-response-347920 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 04 Feb 2025 Taco Niet , Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada Approved with Reservations VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.172610.r347920 Summary: The article presents policy suggestions for South Sudan to expand electricity access. The article argues that large hydro, imports and a dependence on oil are currently the focus in SS but that this should be revised to encourage ... Continue reading READ ALL Summary: The article presents policy suggestions for South Sudan to expand electricity access. The article argues that large hydro, imports and a dependence on oil are currently the focus in SS but that this should be revised to encourage deploying renewables across the country instead. It also notes challenges building out the electricity grid due to financial constraints. There are a few issues that I think should be addressed: The context in SS is not well developed. There was recent civil war that ended only a few years ago, and there is ongoing ethnic violence. This makes it much more challenging to address energy issues and access capital for development of any sort. There is an implicit assumption that RE deployment will automatically increase electricity access. This hasn't been established in the article and is not necessarily the case. More imports and large power plants can also contribute to access. You discuss that importing electricity is not sustainable but also recommend continuing regional cooperation. Reducing imports will likely reduce electricity access so hard to justify not continuing imports. Also Recommendation v statements are counter to each other - encourage regional integration but also not. Which is it? In Factors ii you say imported electricity is not used. This is non-sensical - the grid doesn't work that way. If electricity is imported it is used. Clarify what you mean by this statement. Current electricity access (2022) is 8.4% https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=SS. But also 5.4% per IRENA's report. Maybe give a range or discuss why the number might vary. This is likely indicative of the issues in SS - lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to accurately assess such numbers. Worth a mention. Recommendation i - might also discuss the fact that RE development requires smaller quanta of capital compared to large projects so can be easier to get going. Recommendation iv - Private equity does not show up in the policy issues so why is this a recommendation? Where is the current policy issue with private equity? This again speaks to the lack of context for SS as a country. Does the paper provide a comprehensive overview of the policy and the context of its implementation in a way which is accessible to a general reader? Partly Is the discussion on the implications clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Yes Are the recommendations made clear, balanced, and justified on the basis of the presented arguments? Partly Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: Energy Systems, Sustainable Energy, Energy Systems Modelling, Renewable Energy, Energy Storage I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT Niet T. Reviewer Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.172610.r347920 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v1#referee-response-347920 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Author Response 31 Mar 2025 Aban Ayik , African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 31 Mar 2025 Author Response The context in SS is not well developed. There was recent civil war that ended only a few years ago, and there is ongoing ethnic violence. This makes ... Continue reading The context in SS is not well developed. There was recent civil war that ended only a few years ago, and there is ongoing ethnic violence. This makes it much more challenging to address energy issues and access capital for development of any sort. Response: As mentioned previously, the civil war in South Sudan ended 20 years ago. Despite the ongoing internal conflicts, the government has been able to access capital to implement some of its projects including energy projects. For context and background, we have added a brief paragraph providing an overview of the civil war and internal conflicts in South Sudan. There is an implicit assumption that RE deployment will automatically increase electricity access. This hasn't been established in the article and is not necessarily the case. More imports and large power plants can also contribute to access. Response: RE deployment has increased electricity access in some countries in the region (Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda). Similarly, we expect it to do the same as studies indicate the availability of renewable energy sources in the country. However, the process is not automatic. Its success depends on the technical and economic feasibility, followed by proper implementation, supportive policies, and financing. Therefore, while large power plants and electricity imports can contribute to increased access, they will take longer to implement especially in the absence of a national grid. Instead, other options such as developing solar power plants, run-of-river small hydropower plants, mini hydropower plants, mini-grids or hybrid systems should be considered while larger projects are being developed. This manuscript has been updated to reflect this. You discuss that importing electricity is not sustainable but also recommend continuing regional cooperation. Reducing imports will likely reduce electricity access so hard to justify not continuing imports. Also Recommendation v statements are counter to each other - encourage regional integration but also not. Which is it? Response: One of the benefits of the EAC regional integration is sharing of energy resources through interconnections, where countries with excess electricity export to countries with lower capacity or higher demand. So, we do not oppose regional cooperation or importing electricity because that can be beneficial in cases of high demand or for supplying remote border towns. It can also be beneficial if South Sudan plans to export electricity to the region in the future after developing its hydropower resources. However, we believe that prioritising the development of local energy resources will be more beneficial to South Sudan at the current time. South Sudan can prioritize developing its local energy resources while planning to import electricity. This section of the manuscript has been revised for clarity. In Factors ii you say imported electricity is not used. This is non-sensical - the grid doesn't work that way. If electricity is imported it is used. Clarify what you mean by this statement. Response: South Sudan has been importing 40 MW of electricity (in bulk) from Sudan for use in Renk and Malakal towns, and the areas along Renk-Malakal road. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended, resulting in South Sudan paying for unused electricity. Due to low demand, Renk has been consuming only a fraction of the imported electricity. This section of the manuscript has been updated for clarity. Current electricity access (2022) is 8.4% https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=SS. But also 5.4% per IRENA's report. Maybe give a range or discuss why the number might vary. This is likely indicative of the issues in SS - lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to accurately assess such numbers. Worth a mention. Response: We agree. We have changed the access to a range between 5.4% and 8.4%. Recommendation I - might also discuss the fact that RE development requires smaller quanta of capital compared to large projects so can be easier to get going. Response: We agree. This section has been updated. Recommendation iv - Private equity does not show up in the policy issues so why is this a recommendation? Where is the current policy issue with private equity? This again speaks to the lack of context for SS as a country. Response: We agree. This has been added. The context in SS is not well developed. There was recent civil war that ended only a few years ago, and there is ongoing ethnic violence. This makes it much more challenging to address energy issues and access capital for development of any sort. Response: As mentioned previously, the civil war in South Sudan ended 20 years ago. Despite the ongoing internal conflicts, the government has been able to access capital to implement some of its projects including energy projects. For context and background, we have added a brief paragraph providing an overview of the civil war and internal conflicts in South Sudan. There is an implicit assumption that RE deployment will automatically increase electricity access. This hasn't been established in the article and is not necessarily the case. More imports and large power plants can also contribute to access. Response: RE deployment has increased electricity access in some countries in the region (Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda). Similarly, we expect it to do the same as studies indicate the availability of renewable energy sources in the country. However, the process is not automatic. Its success depends on the technical and economic feasibility, followed by proper implementation, supportive policies, and financing. Therefore, while large power plants and electricity imports can contribute to increased access, they will take longer to implement especially in the absence of a national grid. Instead, other options such as developing solar power plants, run-of-river small hydropower plants, mini hydropower plants, mini-grids or hybrid systems should be considered while larger projects are being developed. This manuscript has been updated to reflect this. You discuss that importing electricity is not sustainable but also recommend continuing regional cooperation. Reducing imports will likely reduce electricity access so hard to justify not continuing imports. Also Recommendation v statements are counter to each other - encourage regional integration but also not. Which is it? Response: One of the benefits of the EAC regional integration is sharing of energy resources through interconnections, where countries with excess electricity export to countries with lower capacity or higher demand. So, we do not oppose regional cooperation or importing electricity because that can be beneficial in cases of high demand or for supplying remote border towns. It can also be beneficial if South Sudan plans to export electricity to the region in the future after developing its hydropower resources. However, we believe that prioritising the development of local energy resources will be more beneficial to South Sudan at the current time. South Sudan can prioritize developing its local energy resources while planning to import electricity. This section of the manuscript has been revised for clarity. In Factors ii you say imported electricity is not used. This is non-sensical - the grid doesn't work that way. If electricity is imported it is used. Clarify what you mean by this statement. Response: South Sudan has been importing 40 MW of electricity (in bulk) from Sudan for use in Renk and Malakal towns, and the areas along Renk-Malakal road. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended, resulting in South Sudan paying for unused electricity. Due to low demand, Renk has been consuming only a fraction of the imported electricity. This section of the manuscript has been updated for clarity. Current electricity access (2022) is 8.4% https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=SS. But also 5.4% per IRENA's report. Maybe give a range or discuss why the number might vary. This is likely indicative of the issues in SS - lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to accurately assess such numbers. Worth a mention. Response: We agree. We have changed the access to a range between 5.4% and 8.4%. Recommendation I - might also discuss the fact that RE development requires smaller quanta of capital compared to large projects so can be easier to get going. Response: We agree. This section has been updated. Recommendation iv - Private equity does not show up in the policy issues so why is this a recommendation? Where is the current policy issue with private equity? This again speaks to the lack of context for SS as a country. Response: We agree. This has been added. Competing Interests: There are no competing interests Close Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT Author Response 31 Mar 2025 Aban Ayik , African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 31 Mar 2025 Author Response The context in SS is not well developed. There was recent civil war that ended only a few years ago, and there is ongoing ethnic violence. This makes ... Continue reading The context in SS is not well developed. There was recent civil war that ended only a few years ago, and there is ongoing ethnic violence. This makes it much more challenging to address energy issues and access capital for development of any sort. Response: As mentioned previously, the civil war in South Sudan ended 20 years ago. Despite the ongoing internal conflicts, the government has been able to access capital to implement some of its projects including energy projects. For context and background, we have added a brief paragraph providing an overview of the civil war and internal conflicts in South Sudan. There is an implicit assumption that RE deployment will automatically increase electricity access. This hasn't been established in the article and is not necessarily the case. More imports and large power plants can also contribute to access. Response: RE deployment has increased electricity access in some countries in the region (Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda). Similarly, we expect it to do the same as studies indicate the availability of renewable energy sources in the country. However, the process is not automatic. Its success depends on the technical and economic feasibility, followed by proper implementation, supportive policies, and financing. Therefore, while large power plants and electricity imports can contribute to increased access, they will take longer to implement especially in the absence of a national grid. Instead, other options such as developing solar power plants, run-of-river small hydropower plants, mini hydropower plants, mini-grids or hybrid systems should be considered while larger projects are being developed. This manuscript has been updated to reflect this. You discuss that importing electricity is not sustainable but also recommend continuing regional cooperation. Reducing imports will likely reduce electricity access so hard to justify not continuing imports. Also Recommendation v statements are counter to each other - encourage regional integration but also not. Which is it? Response: One of the benefits of the EAC regional integration is sharing of energy resources through interconnections, where countries with excess electricity export to countries with lower capacity or higher demand. So, we do not oppose regional cooperation or importing electricity because that can be beneficial in cases of high demand or for supplying remote border towns. It can also be beneficial if South Sudan plans to export electricity to the region in the future after developing its hydropower resources. However, we believe that prioritising the development of local energy resources will be more beneficial to South Sudan at the current time. South Sudan can prioritize developing its local energy resources while planning to import electricity. This section of the manuscript has been revised for clarity. In Factors ii you say imported electricity is not used. This is non-sensical - the grid doesn't work that way. If electricity is imported it is used. Clarify what you mean by this statement. Response: South Sudan has been importing 40 MW of electricity (in bulk) from Sudan for use in Renk and Malakal towns, and the areas along Renk-Malakal road. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended, resulting in South Sudan paying for unused electricity. Due to low demand, Renk has been consuming only a fraction of the imported electricity. This section of the manuscript has been updated for clarity. Current electricity access (2022) is 8.4% https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=SS. But also 5.4% per IRENA's report. Maybe give a range or discuss why the number might vary. This is likely indicative of the issues in SS - lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to accurately assess such numbers. Worth a mention. Response: We agree. We have changed the access to a range between 5.4% and 8.4%. Recommendation I - might also discuss the fact that RE development requires smaller quanta of capital compared to large projects so can be easier to get going. Response: We agree. This section has been updated. Recommendation iv - Private equity does not show up in the policy issues so why is this a recommendation? Where is the current policy issue with private equity? This again speaks to the lack of context for SS as a country. Response: We agree. This has been added. The context in SS is not well developed. There was recent civil war that ended only a few years ago, and there is ongoing ethnic violence. This makes it much more challenging to address energy issues and access capital for development of any sort. Response: As mentioned previously, the civil war in South Sudan ended 20 years ago. Despite the ongoing internal conflicts, the government has been able to access capital to implement some of its projects including energy projects. For context and background, we have added a brief paragraph providing an overview of the civil war and internal conflicts in South Sudan. There is an implicit assumption that RE deployment will automatically increase electricity access. This hasn't been established in the article and is not necessarily the case. More imports and large power plants can also contribute to access. Response: RE deployment has increased electricity access in some countries in the region (Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda). Similarly, we expect it to do the same as studies indicate the availability of renewable energy sources in the country. However, the process is not automatic. Its success depends on the technical and economic feasibility, followed by proper implementation, supportive policies, and financing. Therefore, while large power plants and electricity imports can contribute to increased access, they will take longer to implement especially in the absence of a national grid. Instead, other options such as developing solar power plants, run-of-river small hydropower plants, mini hydropower plants, mini-grids or hybrid systems should be considered while larger projects are being developed. This manuscript has been updated to reflect this. You discuss that importing electricity is not sustainable but also recommend continuing regional cooperation. Reducing imports will likely reduce electricity access so hard to justify not continuing imports. Also Recommendation v statements are counter to each other - encourage regional integration but also not. Which is it? Response: One of the benefits of the EAC regional integration is sharing of energy resources through interconnections, where countries with excess electricity export to countries with lower capacity or higher demand. So, we do not oppose regional cooperation or importing electricity because that can be beneficial in cases of high demand or for supplying remote border towns. It can also be beneficial if South Sudan plans to export electricity to the region in the future after developing its hydropower resources. However, we believe that prioritising the development of local energy resources will be more beneficial to South Sudan at the current time. South Sudan can prioritize developing its local energy resources while planning to import electricity. This section of the manuscript has been revised for clarity. In Factors ii you say imported electricity is not used. This is non-sensical - the grid doesn't work that way. If electricity is imported it is used. Clarify what you mean by this statement. Response: South Sudan has been importing 40 MW of electricity (in bulk) from Sudan for use in Renk and Malakal towns, and the areas along Renk-Malakal road. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended, resulting in South Sudan paying for unused electricity. Due to low demand, Renk has been consuming only a fraction of the imported electricity. This section of the manuscript has been updated for clarity. Current electricity access (2022) is 8.4% https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=SS. But also 5.4% per IRENA's report. Maybe give a range or discuss why the number might vary. This is likely indicative of the issues in SS - lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to accurately assess such numbers. Worth a mention. Response: We agree. We have changed the access to a range between 5.4% and 8.4%. Recommendation I - might also discuss the fact that RE development requires smaller quanta of capital compared to large projects so can be easier to get going. Response: We agree. This section has been updated. Recommendation iv - Private equity does not show up in the policy issues so why is this a recommendation? Where is the current policy issue with private equity? This again speaks to the lack of context for SS as a country. Response: We agree. This has been added. Competing Interests: There are no competing interests Close Report a concern COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: Joseph Dye B. Reviewer Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.172610.r334853 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v1#referee-response-334853 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 08 Nov 2024 Barnaby Joseph Dye , King's College London, London, England, UK Approved with Reservations VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.172610.r334853 The construction of the problem – detail of what is possible and the negative implications of the present context are well made. The text is clearly articulated and the maps useful The word ‘Delay’ – assumes ... Continue reading READ ALL The construction of the problem – detail of what is possible and the negative implications of the present context are well made. The text is clearly articulated and the maps useful The word ‘Delay’ – assumes that South Sudan’s government wants to deploy renewables – or that it is inevitable Are there interest groups set against? The authors later mention that the government’s 2040 vision doesn’t support conventional renewables – only large hydropower The focus on large hydropower is rooted in longstanding ideas of development and electricity found across Africa, but also in Sudan (Which I presume South Sudan partly inherited?) and neighbouring Ethiopia and Egypt The authors are right to point to environmental problems and cost overruns and construction delays This seems to me a political problem therefore – simplistically a lack of ‘will’ – but which probably has deeper roots I presume there are many invested in the oil economy and in importing refined oil from abroad? Are there also strong political interests in generators? In other countries like Nigeria these are key explainers of renewable non-development/lack of grid extension etc At some stage this needs to be mentioned as a constraint or possibility for the future, or that understanding the political economy context would be a recommendation for investors/donors attempting to build new electricity infrastructure I am surprised that conflict and civil war is not mentioned once when it is so fundamental to the why infrastructure is difficult to achieve, constrained resources, lack of investment and the government’s ability to act. This is surely a key context even if beyond the scope of the recommendations here Does the paper provide a comprehensive overview of the policy and the context of its implementation in a way which is accessible to a general reader? Partly Is the discussion on the implications clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Yes Are the recommendations made clear, balanced, and justified on the basis of the presented arguments? Partly Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: Development studies, Africa Studies, Political Economy, The politics of infrastructure and the electricity Sector in Africa I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT Joseph Dye B. Reviewer Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.172610.r334853 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v1#referee-response-334853 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Author Response 31 Mar 2025 Aban Ayik , African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 31 Mar 2025 Author Response The word ‘Delay’ – assumes that South Sudan’s government wants to deploy renewables – or that it is inevitable We replaced the word “delaying” with “preventing”. ... Continue reading The word ‘Delay’ – assumes that South Sudan’s government wants to deploy renewables – or that it is inevitable We replaced the word “delaying” with “preventing”. Are there interest groups set against? No The authors later mention that the government’s 2040 vision doesn’t support conventional renewables – only large hydropower Yes, Vision 2040 supports hydropower (size not specified) but the government has mainly focused on large hydropower. The focus on large hydropower is rooted in longstanding ideas of development and electricity found across Africa, but also in Sudan (Which I presume South Sudan partly inherited?) and neighbouring Ethiopia and Egypt. Yes, the focus on large hydropower in South Sudan was indeed inherited from Sudan. In fact, almost all available environmental studies on hydropower projects in South Sudan were conducted before South Sudan’s independence. The authors are right to point to environmental problems and cost overruns and construction delays We appreciate the acknowledgment. This seems to me a political problem therefore – simplistically a lack of ‘will’ – but which probably has deeper roots We agree. We also believe that the lack of a clear vision for the future development of electricity in the country is one of the main constraints. I presume there are many invested in the oil economy and in importing refined oil from abroad? Are there also strong political interests in generators? In other countries like Nigeria these are key explainers of renewable non-development/lack of grid extension etc. While diesel is also used for generating electricity, it is not the only reason for fuel imports in South Sudan. Imported fuel is also used for transportation (cars, buses, and tracks). Currently many government offices and some residents in Juba are using electricity from the Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO). So the demand for generators is not that strong as before. At some stage this needs to be mentioned as a constraint or possibility for the future, or that understanding the political economy context would be a recommendation for investors/donors attempting to build new electricity infrastructure. We agree. For example, there is no independent regulatory authority in South Sudan, and the government acts as a policymaker, regulator, and operator. This makes it difficult to maintain a stable and transparent environment for investment, which discourages investment in the sector. A paragraph addressing this issue has been added to the manuscript. I am surprised that conflict and civil war is not mentioned once when it is so fundamental to the why infrastructure is difficult to achieve, constrained resources, lack of investment and the government’s ability to act. This is surely a key context even if beyond the scope of the recommendations here. We agree that the civil war is a key context in the history of South Sudan, particularly in relation to damaged infrastructure. However, the civil war ended 20 years ago (in January 2005), leading to South Sudan becoming autonomous and later an independent country in 2011. There have also been internal conflicts (which are still ongoing) that have also contributed to further damage to the infrastructure. Despite these challenges, South Sudan has implemented various development projects since independence and during and after the internal conflicts, including the rehabilitation and extension of Juba distribution lines, several road projects, and others. So, while the civil war and internal conflicts had an impact, the current energy situation is mainly driven by other factors, such as ineffective planning, governance, and policy challenges. For context and background, we have added a brief paragraph providing an overview of the civil war and internal conflicts in South Sudan. We have also added political stability as a policy issue. The word ‘Delay’ – assumes that South Sudan’s government wants to deploy renewables – or that it is inevitable We replaced the word “delaying” with “preventing”. Are there interest groups set against? No The authors later mention that the government’s 2040 vision doesn’t support conventional renewables – only large hydropower Yes, Vision 2040 supports hydropower (size not specified) but the government has mainly focused on large hydropower. The focus on large hydropower is rooted in longstanding ideas of development and electricity found across Africa, but also in Sudan (Which I presume South Sudan partly inherited?) and neighbouring Ethiopia and Egypt. Yes, the focus on large hydropower in South Sudan was indeed inherited from Sudan. In fact, almost all available environmental studies on hydropower projects in South Sudan were conducted before South Sudan’s independence. The authors are right to point to environmental problems and cost overruns and construction delays We appreciate the acknowledgment. This seems to me a political problem therefore – simplistically a lack of ‘will’ – but which probably has deeper roots We agree. We also believe that the lack of a clear vision for the future development of electricity in the country is one of the main constraints. I presume there are many invested in the oil economy and in importing refined oil from abroad? Are there also strong political interests in generators? In other countries like Nigeria these are key explainers of renewable non-development/lack of grid extension etc. While diesel is also used for generating electricity, it is not the only reason for fuel imports in South Sudan. Imported fuel is also used for transportation (cars, buses, and tracks). Currently many government offices and some residents in Juba are using electricity from the Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO). So the demand for generators is not that strong as before. At some stage this needs to be mentioned as a constraint or possibility for the future, or that understanding the political economy context would be a recommendation for investors/donors attempting to build new electricity infrastructure. We agree. For example, there is no independent regulatory authority in South Sudan, and the government acts as a policymaker, regulator, and operator. This makes it difficult to maintain a stable and transparent environment for investment, which discourages investment in the sector. A paragraph addressing this issue has been added to the manuscript. I am surprised that conflict and civil war is not mentioned once when it is so fundamental to the why infrastructure is difficult to achieve, constrained resources, lack of investment and the government’s ability to act. This is surely a key context even if beyond the scope of the recommendations here. We agree that the civil war is a key context in the history of South Sudan, particularly in relation to damaged infrastructure. However, the civil war ended 20 years ago (in January 2005), leading to South Sudan becoming autonomous and later an independent country in 2011. There have also been internal conflicts (which are still ongoing) that have also contributed to further damage to the infrastructure. Despite these challenges, South Sudan has implemented various development projects since independence and during and after the internal conflicts, including the rehabilitation and extension of Juba distribution lines, several road projects, and others. So, while the civil war and internal conflicts had an impact, the current energy situation is mainly driven by other factors, such as ineffective planning, governance, and policy challenges. For context and background, we have added a brief paragraph providing an overview of the civil war and internal conflicts in South Sudan. We have also added political stability as a policy issue. Competing Interests: There are no competing interests Close Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT Author Response 31 Mar 2025 Aban Ayik , African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda 31 Mar 2025 Author Response The word ‘Delay’ – assumes that South Sudan’s government wants to deploy renewables – or that it is inevitable We replaced the word “delaying” with “preventing”. ... Continue reading The word ‘Delay’ – assumes that South Sudan’s government wants to deploy renewables – or that it is inevitable We replaced the word “delaying” with “preventing”. Are there interest groups set against? No The authors later mention that the government’s 2040 vision doesn’t support conventional renewables – only large hydropower Yes, Vision 2040 supports hydropower (size not specified) but the government has mainly focused on large hydropower. The focus on large hydropower is rooted in longstanding ideas of development and electricity found across Africa, but also in Sudan (Which I presume South Sudan partly inherited?) and neighbouring Ethiopia and Egypt. Yes, the focus on large hydropower in South Sudan was indeed inherited from Sudan. In fact, almost all available environmental studies on hydropower projects in South Sudan were conducted before South Sudan’s independence. The authors are right to point to environmental problems and cost overruns and construction delays We appreciate the acknowledgment. This seems to me a political problem therefore – simplistically a lack of ‘will’ – but which probably has deeper roots We agree. We also believe that the lack of a clear vision for the future development of electricity in the country is one of the main constraints. I presume there are many invested in the oil economy and in importing refined oil from abroad? Are there also strong political interests in generators? In other countries like Nigeria these are key explainers of renewable non-development/lack of grid extension etc. While diesel is also used for generating electricity, it is not the only reason for fuel imports in South Sudan. Imported fuel is also used for transportation (cars, buses, and tracks). Currently many government offices and some residents in Juba are using electricity from the Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO). So the demand for generators is not that strong as before. At some stage this needs to be mentioned as a constraint or possibility for the future, or that understanding the political economy context would be a recommendation for investors/donors attempting to build new electricity infrastructure. We agree. For example, there is no independent regulatory authority in South Sudan, and the government acts as a policymaker, regulator, and operator. This makes it difficult to maintain a stable and transparent environment for investment, which discourages investment in the sector. A paragraph addressing this issue has been added to the manuscript. I am surprised that conflict and civil war is not mentioned once when it is so fundamental to the why infrastructure is difficult to achieve, constrained resources, lack of investment and the government’s ability to act. This is surely a key context even if beyond the scope of the recommendations here. We agree that the civil war is a key context in the history of South Sudan, particularly in relation to damaged infrastructure. However, the civil war ended 20 years ago (in January 2005), leading to South Sudan becoming autonomous and later an independent country in 2011. There have also been internal conflicts (which are still ongoing) that have also contributed to further damage to the infrastructure. Despite these challenges, South Sudan has implemented various development projects since independence and during and after the internal conflicts, including the rehabilitation and extension of Juba distribution lines, several road projects, and others. So, while the civil war and internal conflicts had an impact, the current energy situation is mainly driven by other factors, such as ineffective planning, governance, and policy challenges. For context and background, we have added a brief paragraph providing an overview of the civil war and internal conflicts in South Sudan. We have also added political stability as a policy issue. The word ‘Delay’ – assumes that South Sudan’s government wants to deploy renewables – or that it is inevitable We replaced the word “delaying” with “preventing”. Are there interest groups set against? No The authors later mention that the government’s 2040 vision doesn’t support conventional renewables – only large hydropower Yes, Vision 2040 supports hydropower (size not specified) but the government has mainly focused on large hydropower. The focus on large hydropower is rooted in longstanding ideas of development and electricity found across Africa, but also in Sudan (Which I presume South Sudan partly inherited?) and neighbouring Ethiopia and Egypt. Yes, the focus on large hydropower in South Sudan was indeed inherited from Sudan. In fact, almost all available environmental studies on hydropower projects in South Sudan were conducted before South Sudan’s independence. The authors are right to point to environmental problems and cost overruns and construction delays We appreciate the acknowledgment. This seems to me a political problem therefore – simplistically a lack of ‘will’ – but which probably has deeper roots We agree. We also believe that the lack of a clear vision for the future development of electricity in the country is one of the main constraints. I presume there are many invested in the oil economy and in importing refined oil from abroad? Are there also strong political interests in generators? In other countries like Nigeria these are key explainers of renewable non-development/lack of grid extension etc. While diesel is also used for generating electricity, it is not the only reason for fuel imports in South Sudan. Imported fuel is also used for transportation (cars, buses, and tracks). Currently many government offices and some residents in Juba are using electricity from the Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO). So the demand for generators is not that strong as before. At some stage this needs to be mentioned as a constraint or possibility for the future, or that understanding the political economy context would be a recommendation for investors/donors attempting to build new electricity infrastructure. We agree. For example, there is no independent regulatory authority in South Sudan, and the government acts as a policymaker, regulator, and operator. This makes it difficult to maintain a stable and transparent environment for investment, which discourages investment in the sector. A paragraph addressing this issue has been added to the manuscript. I am surprised that conflict and civil war is not mentioned once when it is so fundamental to the why infrastructure is difficult to achieve, constrained resources, lack of investment and the government’s ability to act. This is surely a key context even if beyond the scope of the recommendations here. We agree that the civil war is a key context in the history of South Sudan, particularly in relation to damaged infrastructure. However, the civil war ended 20 years ago (in January 2005), leading to South Sudan becoming autonomous and later an independent country in 2011. There have also been internal conflicts (which are still ongoing) that have also contributed to further damage to the infrastructure. Despite these challenges, South Sudan has implemented various development projects since independence and during and after the internal conflicts, including the rehabilitation and extension of Juba distribution lines, several road projects, and others. So, while the civil war and internal conflicts had an impact, the current energy situation is mainly driven by other factors, such as ineffective planning, governance, and policy challenges. For context and background, we have added a brief paragraph providing an overview of the civil war and internal conflicts in South Sudan. We have also added political stability as a policy issue. Competing Interests: There are no competing interests Close Report a concern COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Comments on this article Comments (0) Version 3 VERSION 3 PUBLISHED 23 Oct 2024 ADD YOUR COMMENT Comment keyboard_arrow_left keyboard_arrow_right Open Peer Review Reviewer Status info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions Reviewer Reports Invited Reviewers 1 2 Version 3 (revision) 08 Oct 25 read Version 2 (revision) 31 Mar 25 read read Version 1 23 Oct 24 read read Barnaby Joseph Dye , King's College London, London, UK Taco Niet , Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada Comments on this article All Comments (0) Add a comment Sign up for content alerts Sign Up You are now signed up to receive this alert Browse by related subjects keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2025 Niet T. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 09 Oct 2025 | for Version 3 Taco Niet , Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada 0 Views copyright © 2025 Niet T. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (0) Approved info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions Thank you for addressing most of my comments. I, however, still find the units and description in Factors ii confusing and unclear. Electricity imports are usually measured in MWh or GWh not MW. Contracted capacity is different than capacity factor. How often does the line get used at it's 40MW capacity? If it is used sometimes at the 40 MW capacity, no matter how rarely, S. Sudan is getting the contracted capacity, irrespective of how much energy (MWh or GWh) is actually imported over a year on the line. "imported electricity was expected to reach 140 MW" again uses a capacity number for what should be an imported energy number (MWh). How much energy is expected to be imported vs. what is actually imported (due to line restrictions, etc.)? "electricity used in Renk was estimated at only about 5% of the contracted supply capacity" again, electricity used (in GWh or MWh) doesn't correspond to 5% of a capacity figure (MW). Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise Energy Systems, Sustainable Energy, Energy Systems Modelling, Renewable Energy, Energy Storage I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard. reply Respond to this report Responses (0) Niet T. Peer Review Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.189284.r421735) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v3#referee-response-421735 keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2025 Joseph Dye B. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 29 May 2025 | for Version 2 Barnaby Joseph Dye , King's College London, London, England, UK 0 Views copyright © 2025 Joseph Dye B. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (1) Approved info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions I welcome the authors' attempts to engage in the reviews and make some substantial changes. I would still want further engagement with the politics of the subject matter and the policies discussed, and the dynamics of conflict which affect the ability to plan and deliver electricity in South Sudan, shaping the politics of what is generated, by what technology, where and delivered to whom. However, I understand that limits of what the authors are able to achieve here and the article provides a useful overview as well as technical details. Policy Outcomes and Implications - Point V: Is Political prioritization a factor/the ideology of those in power/ their priorities Also do they have ability to mobilize resources – do those in power control enough of the state and the country for a renewable energy policy to be enacted – is there enough political agreement across different parties. I wouldn’t expect this to be answered in depth, but a suggestion of these political factors would be welcome. Challenges with Hydropower Development - iii - also environmental negatives and economic implications of that? Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise Development studies, Africa Studies, Political Economy, The politics of infrastructure and the electricity Sector in Africa I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard. reply Respond to this report Responses (1) Author Response 13 Oct 2025 Aban Ayik, African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda Comment 1: I welcome the authors' attempts to engage in the reviews and make some substantial changes. I would still want further engagement with the politics of the subject matter and the policies discussed, and the dynamics of conflict which affect the ability to plan and deliver electricity in South Sudan, shaping the politics of what is generated, by what technology, where and delivered to whom. However, I understand that limits of what the authors are able to achieve here and the article provides a useful overview as well as technical details. Policy Outcomes and Implications - Point V: Is Political prioritization a factor/the ideology of those in power/ their priorities. Also do they have ability to mobilize resources – do those in power control enough of the state and the country for a renewable energy policy to be enacted – is there enough political agreement across different parties. I wouldn’t expect this to be answered in depth, but a suggestion of these political factors would be welcome. Our response: We appreciate your comments and feedback. The situation in South Sudan is complex. While there seems to be political interest in promoting renewable energy, the lack of technical guidance and understanding among policymakers prevents projects from progressing as anticipated. Many technical decisions are taken by politicians instead of technical experts. The government can have political will but still fail if policies are dominated by politics rather than technical input. Also, mobilising resources alone is not enough without giving the responsibility to the right experts. In addition, there is little political agreement across parties in the country, which makes it challenging to sustain long-term policies. So, even if politicians prioritise power projects, nothing much will change if things are not done as they should be. Without agreement on reducing political interference, renewable energy policies and projects may not succeed. We have previously addressed this under policy outcomes and implications point (iii) and under actionable recommendations point (iii). Comment 2: Challenges with Hydropower Development - iii - also environmental negatives and economic implications of that? Our response: We have updated Challenges with Hydropower Development – iii as follows: Challenges with large hydropower development : Although hydropower is a renewable energy resource, it faces significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Hydropower contributes to aquatic life disruption as obstruction of river flow affects downstream habitat, machinery operation harms fish and other species, and imbalance arises between upstream and downstream ecosystems. Also, submerged vegetation and soil decompose, releasing methane and carbon dioxide. LHP projects can have schedule and cost overruns mainly due to heavy construction, machinery installation, social conflicts and resettlement issues. Furthermore, river re-routing or river flow curtailments can impact on downstream fishing and agricultural activities. View more View less Competing Interests We declare no competing interests reply Respond Report a concern Joseph Dye B. Peer Review Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179401.r374555) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v2#referee-response-374555 keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2025 Niet T. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 02 Apr 2025 | for Version 2 Taco Niet , Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada 0 Views copyright © 2025 Niet T. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (1) Approved With Reservations info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions Overall you have addressed most of my points. However, one point remains wrt the energy imported to South Sudan under Factors ii. 1. 40 MW is not a suitable unit for imported electricity. That may be the potential capacity but electricity imports are usually measured in MWh. 2. It is unclear from the paragraph what the specific situation is. Does South Sudan contract for up to 40 MW of capacity (continuously for the entire year) or for a given amount of electricity (in MWh)? Specify what the contract says as these are very different things. 3. The phrasing still says that South Sudan imports electricity that is then not used. The electricity system does not work that way. It is possible that South Sudan pays for up to 40 MW of capacity but is unable to utilize that capacity due to constraints on the system, or does South Sudan contract and pay for up to 40 MWh of electricity each year but is unable to actually import/use it. Clarify. Also, reference 13 does not link out correctly and goes to a 404 not found. Please update the link. Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise Energy Systems, Sustainable Energy, Energy Systems Modelling, Renewable Energy, Energy Storage I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. reply Respond to this report Responses (1) Author Response 13 Oct 2025 Aban Ayik, African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda Comment 1: Overall you have addressed most of my points. However, one point remains wrt the energy imported to South Sudan under Factors ii. 1. 40 MW is not a suitable unit for imported electricity. That may be the potential capacity but electricity imports are usually measured in MWh. Our response: We thank you for your comments and input. We researched electricity imports from Sudan using several sources. Some details remain unclear, and the information presented reflects what we were able to verify through this research: We agree that electricity imports are generally reported in kWh/MWh rather than kW/MW. The 40 MW is the agreed power supply capacity, while the actual electricity imported (actual energy consumption) is recorded in kWh (or MWh) at Renk substation by Sudanese teams who then proceed to Juba for revenue calculations. Comment 2: It is unclear from the paragraph what the specific situation is. Does South Sudan contract for up to 40 MW of capacity (continuously for the entire year) or for a given amount of electricity (in MWh)? Specify what the contract says as these are very different things Our response: The exact terms of the contract remain unclear from the sources available. Some sources state that the agreement was for up to 40 MW of supply capacity, but we could not verify whether this was intended as a continuous annual capacity arrangement or as a fixed supply in MWh. Comment 3: The phrasing still says that South Sudan imports electricity that is then not used. The electricity system does not work that way. It is possible that South Sudan pays for up to 40 MW of capacity but is unable to utilize that capacity due to constraints on the system, or does South Sudan contract and pay for up to 40 MWh of electricity each year but is unable to actually import/use it. Clarify. Our response: We agree that our previous statement did not fully explain the situation. South Sudan has a contract to import up to 40 MW of electricity from Sudan. However, actual utilization was much lower (about 5% of that capacity). Earlier, it was assumed that the full amount would be paid for regardless of usage. However, further information suggests that the exact payment arrangements are not entirely clear. We updated the text to clarify that the issue concerns underutilization of contracted capacity and not the importation of unused electricity as follows: ii. Reliance on imported electricity from neighbouring countries Authorities in South Sudan have been focusing on importing electricity from neighbouring countries since 2011, although electricity imports are not a strategic priority in the country’s national development plans. Electricity has been supplied to Renk, a county in the northern part of South Sudan, from Sudan since 2007 and continued after the country’s independence in 2011. According to official sources, South Sudan contracted for up to 40 MW of cross-border supply capacity from Sudan, transmitted mainly from the Roseires and Merowe dams to Renk. However, actual electricity consumption has been much lower and is measured in kWh/MWh at Renk substation annually by Sudanese teams for revenue calculations. The imported electricity was expected to reach 140 MW by 2016, as it was anticipated to be transmitted to other towns near Malakal. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built, and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended as planned, resulting in low demand. Thus, as of 2022, electricity used in Renk was estimated at only about 5% of the contracted supply capacity, reflecting very low capacity utilization. Additionally, since 2013, there have been ongoing plans to import electricity from Ethiopia, and more recently from Uganda, to supply towns along the border with South Sudan. c) Implications ii. Unsustainability of electricity imports : Importing electricity from neighbouring countries may not be sustainable because electricity can be interrupted by different geopolitical factors. Additionally, importing electricity without proper planning can lead to underutilization of the contracted supply, which may result in higher costs. Comment 4: Also, reference 13 does not link out correctly and goes to a 404 not found. Please update the link. Our response: Reference 13 has been removed. View more View less Competing Interests We declare no competing interests reply Respond Report a concern Niet T. Peer Review Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179401.r374556) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v2#referee-response-374556 keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2025 Niet T. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 04 Feb 2025 | for Version 1 Taco Niet , Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada 0 Views copyright © 2025 Niet T. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (1) Approved With Reservations info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions Summary: The article presents policy suggestions for South Sudan to expand electricity access. The article argues that large hydro, imports and a dependence on oil are currently the focus in SS but that this should be revised to encourage deploying renewables across the country instead. It also notes challenges building out the electricity grid due to financial constraints. There are a few issues that I think should be addressed: The context in SS is not well developed. There was recent civil war that ended only a few years ago, and there is ongoing ethnic violence. This makes it much more challenging to address energy issues and access capital for development of any sort. There is an implicit assumption that RE deployment will automatically increase electricity access. This hasn't been established in the article and is not necessarily the case. More imports and large power plants can also contribute to access. You discuss that importing electricity is not sustainable but also recommend continuing regional cooperation. Reducing imports will likely reduce electricity access so hard to justify not continuing imports. Also Recommendation v statements are counter to each other - encourage regional integration but also not. Which is it? In Factors ii you say imported electricity is not used. This is non-sensical - the grid doesn't work that way. If electricity is imported it is used. Clarify what you mean by this statement. Current electricity access (2022) is 8.4% https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=SS. But also 5.4% per IRENA's report. Maybe give a range or discuss why the number might vary. This is likely indicative of the issues in SS - lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to accurately assess such numbers. Worth a mention. Recommendation i - might also discuss the fact that RE development requires smaller quanta of capital compared to large projects so can be easier to get going. Recommendation iv - Private equity does not show up in the policy issues so why is this a recommendation? Where is the current policy issue with private equity? This again speaks to the lack of context for SS as a country. Does the paper provide a comprehensive overview of the policy and the context of its implementation in a way which is accessible to a general reader? Partly Is the discussion on the implications clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Yes Are the recommendations made clear, balanced, and justified on the basis of the presented arguments? Partly Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise Energy Systems, Sustainable Energy, Energy Systems Modelling, Renewable Energy, Energy Storage I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. reply Respond to this report Responses (1) Author Response 31 Mar 2025 Aban Ayik, African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda The context in SS is not well developed. There was recent civil war that ended only a few years ago, and there is ongoing ethnic violence. This makes it much more challenging to address energy issues and access capital for development of any sort. Response: As mentioned previously, the civil war in South Sudan ended 20 years ago. Despite the ongoing internal conflicts, the government has been able to access capital to implement some of its projects including energy projects. For context and background, we have added a brief paragraph providing an overview of the civil war and internal conflicts in South Sudan. There is an implicit assumption that RE deployment will automatically increase electricity access. This hasn't been established in the article and is not necessarily the case. More imports and large power plants can also contribute to access. Response: RE deployment has increased electricity access in some countries in the region (Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda). Similarly, we expect it to do the same as studies indicate the availability of renewable energy sources in the country. However, the process is not automatic. Its success depends on the technical and economic feasibility, followed by proper implementation, supportive policies, and financing. Therefore, while large power plants and electricity imports can contribute to increased access, they will take longer to implement especially in the absence of a national grid. Instead, other options such as developing solar power plants, run-of-river small hydropower plants, mini hydropower plants, mini-grids or hybrid systems should be considered while larger projects are being developed. This manuscript has been updated to reflect this. You discuss that importing electricity is not sustainable but also recommend continuing regional cooperation. Reducing imports will likely reduce electricity access so hard to justify not continuing imports. Also Recommendation v statements are counter to each other - encourage regional integration but also not. Which is it? Response: One of the benefits of the EAC regional integration is sharing of energy resources through interconnections, where countries with excess electricity export to countries with lower capacity or higher demand. So, we do not oppose regional cooperation or importing electricity because that can be beneficial in cases of high demand or for supplying remote border towns. It can also be beneficial if South Sudan plans to export electricity to the region in the future after developing its hydropower resources. However, we believe that prioritising the development of local energy resources will be more beneficial to South Sudan at the current time. South Sudan can prioritize developing its local energy resources while planning to import electricity. This section of the manuscript has been revised for clarity. In Factors ii you say imported electricity is not used. This is non-sensical - the grid doesn't work that way. If electricity is imported it is used. Clarify what you mean by this statement. Response: South Sudan has been importing 40 MW of electricity (in bulk) from Sudan for use in Renk and Malakal towns, and the areas along Renk-Malakal road. However, the transmission line from Renk to Malakal has not been built and the distribution network has not been rehabilitated or extended, resulting in South Sudan paying for unused electricity. Due to low demand, Renk has been consuming only a fraction of the imported electricity. This section of the manuscript has been updated for clarity. Current electricity access (2022) is 8.4% https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=SS. But also 5.4% per IRENA's report. Maybe give a range or discuss why the number might vary. This is likely indicative of the issues in SS - lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to accurately assess such numbers. Worth a mention. Response: We agree. We have changed the access to a range between 5.4% and 8.4%. Recommendation I - might also discuss the fact that RE development requires smaller quanta of capital compared to large projects so can be easier to get going. Response: We agree. This section has been updated. Recommendation iv - Private equity does not show up in the policy issues so why is this a recommendation? Where is the current policy issue with private equity? This again speaks to the lack of context for SS as a country. Response: We agree. This has been added. View more View less Competing Interests There are no competing interests reply Respond Report a concern Niet T. Peer Review Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.172610.r347920) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v1#referee-response-347920 keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2024 Joseph Dye B. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 08 Nov 2024 | for Version 1 Barnaby Joseph Dye , King's College London, London, England, UK 0 Views copyright © 2024 Joseph Dye B. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (1) Approved With Reservations info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions The construction of the problem – detail of what is possible and the negative implications of the present context are well made. The text is clearly articulated and the maps useful The word ‘Delay’ – assumes that South Sudan’s government wants to deploy renewables – or that it is inevitable Are there interest groups set against? The authors later mention that the government’s 2040 vision doesn’t support conventional renewables – only large hydropower The focus on large hydropower is rooted in longstanding ideas of development and electricity found across Africa, but also in Sudan (Which I presume South Sudan partly inherited?) and neighbouring Ethiopia and Egypt The authors are right to point to environmental problems and cost overruns and construction delays This seems to me a political problem therefore – simplistically a lack of ‘will’ – but which probably has deeper roots I presume there are many invested in the oil economy and in importing refined oil from abroad? Are there also strong political interests in generators? In other countries like Nigeria these are key explainers of renewable non-development/lack of grid extension etc At some stage this needs to be mentioned as a constraint or possibility for the future, or that understanding the political economy context would be a recommendation for investors/donors attempting to build new electricity infrastructure I am surprised that conflict and civil war is not mentioned once when it is so fundamental to the why infrastructure is difficult to achieve, constrained resources, lack of investment and the government’s ability to act. This is surely a key context even if beyond the scope of the recommendations here Does the paper provide a comprehensive overview of the policy and the context of its implementation in a way which is accessible to a general reader? Partly Is the discussion on the implications clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Yes Are the recommendations made clear, balanced, and justified on the basis of the presented arguments? Partly Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise Development studies, Africa Studies, Political Economy, The politics of infrastructure and the electricity Sector in Africa I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. reply Respond to this report Responses (1) Author Response 31 Mar 2025 Aban Ayik, African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda The word ‘Delay’ – assumes that South Sudan’s government wants to deploy renewables – or that it is inevitable We replaced the word “delaying” with “preventing”. Are there interest groups set against? No The authors later mention that the government’s 2040 vision doesn’t support conventional renewables – only large hydropower Yes, Vision 2040 supports hydropower (size not specified) but the government has mainly focused on large hydropower. The focus on large hydropower is rooted in longstanding ideas of development and electricity found across Africa, but also in Sudan (Which I presume South Sudan partly inherited?) and neighbouring Ethiopia and Egypt. Yes, the focus on large hydropower in South Sudan was indeed inherited from Sudan. In fact, almost all available environmental studies on hydropower projects in South Sudan were conducted before South Sudan’s independence. The authors are right to point to environmental problems and cost overruns and construction delays We appreciate the acknowledgment. This seems to me a political problem therefore – simplistically a lack of ‘will’ – but which probably has deeper roots We agree. We also believe that the lack of a clear vision for the future development of electricity in the country is one of the main constraints. I presume there are many invested in the oil economy and in importing refined oil from abroad? Are there also strong political interests in generators? In other countries like Nigeria these are key explainers of renewable non-development/lack of grid extension etc. While diesel is also used for generating electricity, it is not the only reason for fuel imports in South Sudan. Imported fuel is also used for transportation (cars, buses, and tracks). Currently many government offices and some residents in Juba are using electricity from the Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO). So the demand for generators is not that strong as before. At some stage this needs to be mentioned as a constraint or possibility for the future, or that understanding the political economy context would be a recommendation for investors/donors attempting to build new electricity infrastructure. We agree. For example, there is no independent regulatory authority in South Sudan, and the government acts as a policymaker, regulator, and operator. This makes it difficult to maintain a stable and transparent environment for investment, which discourages investment in the sector. A paragraph addressing this issue has been added to the manuscript. I am surprised that conflict and civil war is not mentioned once when it is so fundamental to the why infrastructure is difficult to achieve, constrained resources, lack of investment and the government’s ability to act. This is surely a key context even if beyond the scope of the recommendations here. We agree that the civil war is a key context in the history of South Sudan, particularly in relation to damaged infrastructure. However, the civil war ended 20 years ago (in January 2005), leading to South Sudan becoming autonomous and later an independent country in 2011. There have also been internal conflicts (which are still ongoing) that have also contributed to further damage to the infrastructure. Despite these challenges, South Sudan has implemented various development projects since independence and during and after the internal conflicts, including the rehabilitation and extension of Juba distribution lines, several road projects, and others. So, while the civil war and internal conflicts had an impact, the current energy situation is mainly driven by other factors, such as ineffective planning, governance, and policy challenges. For context and background, we have added a brief paragraph providing an overview of the civil war and internal conflicts in South Sudan. We have also added political stability as a policy issue. View more View less Competing Interests There are no competing interests reply Respond Report a concern Joseph Dye B. Peer Review Report For: Renewable energy: A way out for South Sudan’s electricity crisis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved] . F1000Research 2025, 13 :1267 ( https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.172610.r334853) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. The direct URL for this report is: https://f1000research.com/articles/13-1267/v1#referee-response-334853 Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved - the paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations - A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. 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Register $(document).ready(function () { signIn.createSignInAsRow($("#sign-in-form-gfb-popup")); $(".target-field").each(function () { var uris = $(this).val().split("/"); if (uris.pop() === "login") { $(this).val(uris.toString().replace(",","/")); } }); });