Electricity in Benin in 2023
In 2023, Benin's electricity consumption paints a picture of significant reliance on fossil fuels and a very modest contribution from low-carbon sources. The average electricity use per person in Benin is about 130 kWh, which is far below the global average of 3781 kWh per person. Among the electricity Benin consumes, fossil energy sources dominate, with low-carbon sources contributing almost an insignificant fraction—around 2 kWh per person. This stark difference highlights the potential challenges that Benin could face, including limited access to reliable power for industries and households, hampering both economic growth and quality of life. The low levels of electricity generation, especially from clean sources, also suggest that addressing climate change and air pollution might become increasingly challenging for Benin.
Is Electricity Growing in Benin?
The trend in Benin’s electricity consumption shows a concerning plateau rather than growth. In 2021, the record was 136 kWh per person, but recent figures show a decline to 130 kWh per person, indicating a drop of 5 kWh per person. The only silver lining is the slight increase in low-carbon electricity generation, which rose from 1 kWh per person in 2021 to 2 kWh per person in 2023, reflecting a modest gain. However, this increase is not nearly enough to suggest that Benin is on a path to a sustainable energy future. The overall decrease in electricity consumption highlights an urgent need for policies and investments that foster steady and significant growth in both total and low-carbon electricity generation to support future economic and societal advancements.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Benin can draw inspiration from global leaders in low-carbon energy, particularly in solar and nuclear power. Countries like India and China, which have made substantial advancements in solar power with outputs of 154 TWh and 1025 TWh, respectively, serve as notable examples. They demonstrate that investment in solar infrastructure can substantially reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impacts. For nuclear power, the United States and France highlight the effectiveness of nuclear energy as a stable and substantial low-carbon source, providing 778 TWh and 363 TWh, respectively. By fostering partnerships and learning from the strategies employed by these regions, Benin can better plan its initiatives to integrate more solar and nuclear power, driving forward its sector’s transformation towards greater sustainability.
History
Historically, Benin's low-carbon electricity generation profile has shown minimal change over the decades. From 1997 to 2005, hydroelectricity generated consistently showed no increase, similarly followed by stagnant growth in biofuels between 2006 and 2009. In more recent years, solar power was introduced with no significant increment, particularly in 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023, all of which recorded no growth for these low-carbon sources. This lack of substantial development in clean energy over the years portrays missed opportunities to leverage the potential of low-carbon infrastructure, especially when regions across the globe continue to expand their footprints in both solar and nuclear energy sectors. For a nation like Benin, which harbors hopes of clean energy prosperity, this history underscores the pressing need for dynamic policies and investments aimed at scaling up its capacity.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.