Sudan to reduce electricity price next month

June 24, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan will reduce electricity price for the housing and industrial sectors as of next July.

The Minister for Energy and Mining Al-Zubair Ahmed Al-Hassan told the Sudanese legislators that the the reduction in electricity prices will cover agriculture sector by 30%, the industry by 25% and the domestic consumption by 25%.

Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir had announced these reductions at the inauguration of Merowe dam project on March 3.

The new dam, which would double the country’s electricity output, will produce 250 megawatts of electricity and will reach full capacity by November 2009 by producing 1250 megawatts.

The minister and briefed the law makers about the revenues of the country from Gold and oil.

He said in his statement that the production of Gold in Sudan reached 2276 kilograms in 2008 from eastern Sudan mines explored by Sudanese- French Ariab firm.

He also added that 8 kilograms of gold were produced by the National Authority for Research at the experiential stage.

The Minister said huge quantities of other minerals were also produced including chrome, Kaolin, zinc, plaster, and crushed marble.

He further said that the Peace Cement Plant has entered the production stage with the capacity of 6 thousand tons per year, pointing out that five other plants will begin their production mostly by the end of 2010

In the area of the oil, the minister said that the daily production for 2008 amounted to 616,168,359 barrel, compared to 107,177,026 barrel in 2007

He also said that the Federal government’s share of oil revenue for 2008 amounted to eight billion six hundred and eighty seven million dollars.

(ST)