Electricity in Algeria in 2023
In 2023, Algeria's electricity consumption is overwhelmingly reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas. Almost all, about 99%, of the country's electricity generation comes from fossil energy, with gas accounting for nearly 99% of this share. This leaves Algeria with close to none in terms of low-carbon, or clean, electricity generation, which paints a concerning picture for the country's energy sustainability efforts. The electricity system is heavily dependent on fossil fuel, which are not only finite but also contribute significantly to air pollution and climate change. Transitioning to low-carbon energy sources is crucial for reducing environmental impacts and ensuring long-term energy security.
Is Electricity Growing in Algeria?
Looking at the electricity consumption trends in Algeria, there is indeed growth. In 2023, the total electricity consumption stands at 2086 kWh per person, a modest increase from the previous record in 2022 of 2011 kWh per person. This reflects a positive upward trajectory in electricity consumption, though the pace is slow. In stark contrast, the low-carbon electricity generation is far from thriving, presenting a decline since its former record of 29 kWh per person in 1985, now at just 20 kWh per person. This negative shift is worrying and indicates that while overall electricity consumption grows, the mix is becoming less sustainable due to the reliance on fossil fuels.
Suggestions
Algeria has a significant opportunity to expand its low-carbon electricity generation, leveraging solar energy potential given the region's abundant sunlight. Learning from successful regions, Algeria can look to countries like Lebanon, where solar energy contributes more than 30% of their electricity, and the United Arab Emirates and Spain, where nuclear energy contributes a significant portion. Emulating solar advancements in countries like Greece and Australia, both achieving over 20% of their electricity from solar, could lead to meaningful progress. Similarly, adopting nuclear energy strategies from countries like Slovakia and France, where nuclear power is a major component of electricity generation, could provide Algeria with a stable and clean energy alternative to fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Algeria has not seen consistent growth in low-carbon electricity generation. Throughout the early 1980s, there was some fluctuation in hydroelectric power contribution, with minor increases and decreases observed annually. Notable variability continued into the 1990s and early 2000s, with years of increase in hydroelectric generation often followed by declines. The introduction of solar energy in 2017 showed promise with a measurable increase of 0.5 TWh, although this was coupled with a decrease in hydroelectric generation the same year, portraying a less cohesive strategy for low-carbon electricity expansion. Such inconsistent patterns in the development of clean energy highlight the urgent need for concerted efforts and strategic planning for sustainable electricity generation in Algeria.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.