Electricity in Algeria in 2022

In 2022, Algeria's electricity generation was heavily reliant on fossil fuels, producing roughly 87 terawatt-hours (TWh) primarily from natural gas. This means that low-carbon energy sources like wind, solar, and hydro contributed close to none in comparison. Algeria's electricity consumption level is significantly below the global average of 432 watts per person, indicating that the country could be facing challenges related to insufficient electricity generation. Low levels of electricity can hinder economic growth, limit access to modern amenities, and contribute to energy poverty, affecting the overall quality of life for its residents.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Algeria can look to successful examples from other countries. For instance, China has made significant strides in wind and solar power, generating 886 TWh from wind and 584 TWh from solar. Similarly, the United States leads in nuclear energy with 775 TWh, while also having strong production in wind and solar. Closer to Algeria's geographical region, countries like Spain and India have also made notable advances, with Spain generating 64 TWh from wind and 47 TWh from solar, and India producing 113 TWh from solar and 82 TWh from wind. By investing in these clean energy technologies, Algeria can diversify its energy mix, reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change and reduce air pollution.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Algeria shows a limited but fluctuating use of hydro power over the years, with minimal increases and decreases. In the early 1980s, there were minor changes such as a 0.2 TWh increase in 1981 followed by a 0.3 TWh decrease in 1983. The subsequent decades continued this pattern of minor fluctuations, with insignificant net gains. However, a notable development occurred in 2017 when solar energy made its first significant contribution of 0.5 TWh. Despite these small steps, the overall trend highlights the need for a more ambitious and sustainable approach towards boosting low-carbon electricity generation in Algeria. This approach should center on adopting proven clean energy technologies like solar, wind, and nuclear power to ensure reliable and sustainable electricity for the future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources