Assessing Sudan’s Capabilities for IIoT-Based Power Systems

الملخص

Sudan’s power sector stands at a critical point. The country faces serious challenges such as aging infrastructure, frequent power outages, and very high transmission and distribution losses compared to other countries in the region. At the same time, Sudan has a foundation for improvement, including significant hydro and thermal power capacity and a telecommunications sector that, although still limited, is gradually expanding. This paper explores whether the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) can provide a realistic pathway forward. It argues that a carefully planned, step-by-step implementation of IIoT technologies—such as real-time grid monitoring, predictive maintenance, and smart metering—could significantly improve the performance of the power system. The proposed roadmap aligns technical advancement with Sudan’s financial and institutional constraints. Studies indicate that a systematic IIoT rollout could reduce system losses by 8–12% over a 3–5-year horizon and enhance grid reliability and resilience, particularly by supporting smart microgrids that deliver power to remote areas.