As of 2022, Angola has made significant strides in clean electricity generation, with more than three-quarters of its electricity coming from low-carbon sources. Hydropower dominates this segment, contributing nearly 75% of the total electricity mix. On the other hand, fossil fuels still account for just under a quarter of the total electricity generated, with gas being the primary fossil fuel at approximately 10%. Angola's reliance on hydropower establishes a strong foundation for a sustainable energy future, highlighting the country’s commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating associated climate change and air pollution impacts.
To further elevate its clean electricity generation, Angola can explore diversifying beyond hydropower by incorporating other low-carbon technologies such as wind and solar energy. Drawing lessons from countries like Denmark and Uruguay, where wind energy accounts for 61% and 36% of the electricity generation, respectively, Angola could harness its coastal and inland wind resources. Additionally, considering solar's growth potential as seen in countries like Greece and Chile, where solar power contributes around 20% and 21% respectively, Angola can capitalize on its abundant sunlight to boost solar energy deployment. Expanding nuclear energy could also be a strategic consideration, drawing inspiration from countries such as France, where nuclear energy forms a significant portion of their low-carbon electricity mix. By learning from such global examples, Angola could effectively enhance its low-carbon electricity generation portfolio.
The journey of low-carbon electricity generation in Angola has been marked by consistent growth, particularly in hydropower, over the past few decades. Starting from the early 1990s, Angola incrementally increased its hydropower capacity with modest gains of about 0.1 TWh annually. This trend continued into the early 2000s, culminating in larger surges in hydropower generation post-2010. Notably, between 2016 and 2018, there were significant annual increases, with additions of 1.1 TWh in 2016 and a substantial jump of 2.7 TWh in 2018. This robust expansion underscores Angola's commitment to harnessing its river systems for electricity, positioning the nation well for further advancements in its energy landscape through complementary low-carbon solutions.