In 2023, more than three-quarters of Angola’s electricity consumption came from low-carbon sources, while just under a quarter came from fossil fuels. Hydropower dominated, supplying about 74% of electricity, with solar contributing just over 2% and other low-carbon sources contributing a small remainder. Gas accounted for about 9% of electricity consumption, with other fossil fuels supplying the remaining roughly 14%. Angola therefore already has a largely clean electricity mix, built primarily on hydropower.

Is Electricity Growing in Angola?

Electricity consumption per person has not regained its previous peak. In 2023, consumption stood at 488 kWh per person, about 14 kWh below the 2020 record of 503 kWh, based on the supplied comparison. Low-carbon electricity generation reached 373 kWh per person, also below its 2020 record of 380 kWh. These figures show a disappointing shortfall relative to earlier peaks, although they do not establish whether total national electricity consumption is declining. Expanding clean electricity supply and access would help Angola meet growing demand from electrification, economic development and digital services.

Suggestions

Angola can build on its hydropower foundation by accelerating solar deployment, developing wind where local conditions are suitable, and considering nuclear electricity as a longer-term source of dependable low-carbon generation. Nearby Congo-Kinshasa, where solar supplies 13% of electricity generation, offers a relevant regional reference, while Cape Verde generates 14% from solar and another 14% from wind. Angola could also learn from Kenya’s 12% wind share and Uruguay’s roughly one-third wind share. For nuclear development, Pakistan, with 13% nuclear electricity, and the United Arab Emirates, with 20%, provide examples to study alongside France, where nuclear supplies about two-thirds of electricity. Investment in grids, workforce training and electricity-sector institutions would help turn these lessons into increased clean generation.

History

Angola’s low-carbon electricity history is chiefly a story of hydropower expansion. A 0.2 TWh increase in 1998 was reversed in 1999, before growth resumed in the 2000s: gains of 0.4–0.6 TWh occurred repeatedly between 2004 and 2008, interrupted by a small decline in 2007. The early 2010s brought further increases, including 1 TWh in 2013, despite a 0.2 TWh setback in 2012. Expansion accelerated markedly from 2016 through 2020, especially in 2017 and 2018, and with a particularly strong 2.8 TWh increase in 2019. More recently, solar generation increased by 0.4 TWh in 2022, and hydropower added another 0.6 TWh in 2023, extending Angola’s progress in clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade