In 2023, more than three-quarters of Angola’s electricity came from low-carbon sources, while just under a quarter came from fossil fuels. Hydropower dominated the electricity mix at about 74%, with solar contributing roughly 2%. Gas supplied around 9% of all electricity, with other fossil sources accounting for most of the remaining fossil generation. Angola therefore already has a largely clean electricity supply, although expanding solar could help diversify its strong hydropower base.

Is Electricity Growing in Angola?

Angola’s electricity consumption per person has not yet regained its historic peak. In 2023, consumption stood at 488 kWh per person, compared with a record of 503 kWh in 2020—a shortfall of roughly 3%. Low-carbon electricity generation was also below its previous peak, at 373 kWh per person versus 380 kWh in 2020, a gap of about 2%. These figures show a concerning setback relative to the records, rather than sustained growth per person; they do not, by themselves, establish whether total national electricity consumption increased or decreased. Stronger growth in clean electricity would support wider electrification and future demand.

Suggestions

Angola can increase low-carbon electricity generation by expanding solar alongside its existing hydropower, developing wind where resources are suitable, and considering nuclear electricity as part of its long-term plans. Nearby Congo–Kinshasa, where solar supplies 13% of electricity, offers a relevant regional reference, while Cape Verde obtains about 14% each from solar and wind. Angola can also learn from Chile, where solar provides almost a quarter of electricity, and Morocco, where wind supplies a fifth. For nuclear development, France’s roughly two-thirds nuclear share demonstrates its potential to deliver large volumes of clean electricity, while the United Arab Emirates, at about 20%, provides another useful example. Grid expansion, workforce training and clear investment frameworks would help translate these lessons into increased electricity supply.

History

Angola’s low-carbon electricity history has been driven mainly by hydropower growth. A 0.2 TWh increase in 1998 was reversed in 1999, but expansion became more sustained during the 2000s: gains of around 0.4–0.6 TWh occurred in several years, despite a small decline in 2007. The early 2010s brought further increases, including 1 TWh in 2013, interrupted by a 0.2 TWh decline in 2012. Growth accelerated strongly in the late 2010s, with additions of 1.8 TWh in 2017, 1.1 TWh in 2018 and a particularly impressive 2.8 TWh in 2019, followed by another 1.1 TWh in 2020. More recently, solar generation increased by 0.4 TWh in 2022, and hydropower added 0.6 TWh in 2023—encouraging gains that Angola can build on to restore growth in clean electricity per person.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade