Electricity in Algeria in 2023
In Algeria, nearly all of the electricity consumed, specifically over 99%, is generated from fossil fuels, with gas accounting for nearly the entire fossil energy contribution. Unfortunately, low-carbon electricity sources have a negligible presence in the country's electricity mix, making up close to none of the total generation. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels is concerning due to the negative impacts such as climate change and air pollution associated with these sources. Given the global shift towards sustainable and clean energy solutions, Algeria's current state of electricity generation indicates a pressing need for transitioning to low-carbon options.
Is Electricity Growing in Algeria?
The electricity consumption per person in Algeria has seen an increase recently, reaching 2086 kWh in 2023, compared to the previous year's 2011 kWh. This rise reflects a growing demand for electricity among the Algerian population. However, when we delve into the low-carbon aspect of electricity, the situation is less positive. The generation of low-carbon electricity per person has declined to 20 kWh from an earlier record in 1985 of 29 kWh. This reduction highlights a worrying trend and suggests that urgent attention is needed to enhance Algeria's capacity for generating clean energy.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Algeria can learn from other regions that have successfully diversified their energy portfolios. For instance, France has remarkably high dependence on nuclear power, with 68% of its electricity coming from this clean source, while countries like Lebanon have leveraged solar technologies to make significant contributions to their electricity supply. Additionally, regions like Denmark and Iowa, with their substantial wind power capacities at 52% and 63% respectively, demonstrate the potential for wind energy integration. Algeria could consider investing in solar and nuclear energy infrastructure, drawing on international expertise, to reduce its heavy reliance on fossil fuels and transition to a more sustainable electricity future.
History
In the early 1980s, hydroelectric power in Algeria experienced several fluctuations, with small increases and decreases, reflecting a somewhat unstable progression in clean electricity generation. From the late 1990s into the 2000s, hydroelectric developments continued to show modest variations without clear growth direction, and a slight decline was observed post-2013 in hydropower output. Encouragingly, in 2017, there was a positive development with the introduction of solar power, contributing 0.5 TWh, marking a crucial step towards diversifying Algeria's energy mix with clean energy. However, the broader narrative has been one of stagnation, which underscores the urgent need for deliberate strategies to enhance low-carbon electricity generation significantly.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.