Sudan, with recently developed experience in hydropower, is offering assistance to Turkey to develop solar and wind energy, Sudanese Water and Electricity Minister Mutaz Musa Salim said during the World Energy Congress (WEC) in Istanbul.
Salim told Anadolu Agency that Sudan meets 70 percent of its energy needs from hydropower and 30 percent from fossil fuels. Fifteen years ago, Sudan's energy mix consisted of 90 percent fossil fuels and 10 percent water resources. But in the early 2000's, the country's master plan to increase the use of hydropower has seen a change in the country's energy mix.
'Despite the fact that some countries criticize hydropower, they have invested in it. I think this is inevitable, and in Europe now they are using almost above 70 percent of their potential, in the U.S. almost 100 percent,' he said.
Salim urged Turkey to avail of the opportunity to develop hydropower resources, which he said should be conducted in an environmentally-friendly way.
'Turkey should also invest in hydropower and has potential, good funds and the ability to do so,' he said, adding that it also has excellent contractors and good manufacturers of equipment.
He said that Sudan has already collaborated with many companies including Chinese contractors and Swiss ABB, Siemens on hydropower projects.
'Sudanese companies are also doing a lot as sub-contractors. The dam industry in Sudan is recent,' he noted.
'We are quite ready and very prepared to help Turkey. We talked with Turkey's Energy Minister Berat Albayrak about cooperation on solar and wind in Turkey which we can work together on. We hope to hear more early next year,' he said.
Albayrak's Twitter account on Oct. 12 confirmed his meeting with Salim to discuss cooperation.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
murat.temizer@aa.com.tr