Electricity in Angola in 2023
In 2023, Angola's electricity consumption relies heavily on low-carbon sources, making up more than three-quarters of the country's electricity supply. Hydropower is the dominant player among these clean sources, contributing nearly three-quarters of the overall electricity consumed. Fossil energy, mainly gas, is still present but accounts for slightly less than a quarter of the mix. Solar energy, another clean source, provides a small yet significant contribution, amounting to just over two percent of the electricity consumption. This composition illustrates Angola's significant commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and positioning itself as a leader in clean electricity use in the region.
Suggestions
To further enhance its low-carbon electricity production, Angola could look to diversify its portfolio by incorporating more solar and exploring nuclear and wind power. Nuclear energy could play a crucial role as seen in countries like France, where it reaches 68% of electricity generation, or Slovakia and Ukraine with similar high percentages. Additionally, expanding wind energy, as demonstrated by Denmark, could increase Angola's clean energy footprint. Learning from these countries, especially those with similar economic contexts like Morocco, whose wind energy comprises 21% of its electricity, could help Angola achieve a more sustainable and diverse energy system.
History
Historically, from the early 2000s, Angola has shown a consistent pattern of increasing its hydropower capacity. Notably, there were modest annual increases in the early 2000s, with more considerable expansions from 2008 onwards. In 2012, a significant leap occurred with an increase of 1.5 TWh. However, in 2013, there was a minor setback with a reduction in hydropower generation, but the growth trend resumed in subsequent years, particularly from 2016 to 2020. Recently, solar energy has started to appear, with a modest addition in 2022, indicating Angola's initial foray into diversifying its clean electricity sources. This historical trajectory showcases Angola's ongoing commitment to expanding its green energy infrastructure.