Potential Biomass Energy Generation from Agricultural Production in South Sudan

The aim of this study is to assess the capacity of agricultural residues in South Sudan in terms of their types and quantities. The country had limited access to modern energy sources, and most of the population relied on traditional biomass for cooking and heating. However, efforts were being made to explore and develop alternative and sustainable energy sources, including biomass energy. Biomass energy involves the use of organic materials, such as wood, crop residues, and animal waste, to generate heat or electricity. In the context of South Sudan, biomass energy could play a crucial role in meeting the energy needs of the population, especially in rural areas. The quantities of crops cultivated in South Sudan, measured in tons of dry matter per year, were determined through calculations based on production data from the Food and Agriculture Organization Statistical Databases of the United Nations (FAOSTAT) for the 2021 seasonal year. The annual gross potential of agricultural residues was calculated by employing a residue to product ratio. The energy potential of crop residues was computed by multiplying the calorific values of agricultural residues with the available amount of residue. The total energy potential of agricultural residues during the 2021 production period in South Sudan amounted to approximately 112.7 TJ. The total amount of unused agricultural crop residues was estimated to be approximately 8.6 kilo tons (Kt). The proportion of overall residue quantity comprises major crops such as sorghum (78.71%), maize (11.06%), rice (5.66%), and millet (4.36%).