Electricity in Botswana in 2023
Botswana's electricity consumption in 2023 predominantly relies on fossil fuels, with more than half of its electricity generation coming from coal, constituting approximately 55%. This dependence on fossil energy presents challenges such as environmental pollution and contributing to global climate change. In contrast, low-carbon or clean energy sources, such as solar power, play close to no role in Botswana's current electricity generation mix. One of the striking features of Botswana's energy landscape is its significant reliance on external sources, as indicated by net imports, which account for almost 43% of its electricity consumption. This heavy dependence on imports highlights the need for a robust domestic strategy, particularly focusing on increasing low-carbon electricity generation to ensure energy security and environmental sustainability.
Is Electricity Growing in Botswana?
When examining the trend in electricity consumption within Botswana, there is a noticeable decline from previous years. In 2023, the total electricity consumption per person stands at approximately 1818 kWh, which is around 194 kWh lower than the previous peak recorded in 2015. This decrease can be concerning, particularly in the context of rising global electrification demands spurred by technological advancements and increased use of artificial intelligence. Additionally, the low-carbon electricity generation has not seen any growth since reaching 4 kWh/person in 2018, remaining stagnant to this day. This lack of progress emphasizes the urgency for Botswana to adopt policies and technological strategies to boost clean energy production, which can aid in addressing the dual challenges of growing electricity demand and environmental stewardship.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Botswana can draw inspiration from countries that have successfully integrated nuclear and solar power into their energy portfolios. Countries like Lebanon, which generates nearly a third of its electricity from solar energy, and South Africa’s neighbor Morocco, with a significant portion of its electricity from wind, provide valuable models. By investing in solar infrastructure, Botswana can capitalize on its abundant sunlight to generate substantial amounts of clean electricity. Nuclear power also offers a powerful tool for delivering large-scale, stable, and low-carbon electricity. Learning from France, with its impressive 68% of electricity from nuclear power, Botswana could explore the feasibility of developing its own nuclear power capability, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels and electricity imports.
History
In reviewing the historical landscape of low-carbon electricity generation in Botswana, particularly solar, it becomes apparent that there has been stagnation over the past decade. From 2012 to 2023, solar electricity production has consistently added zero TWh each year, reflecting a period of very little advancement in this sector. This lack of progress over the years is worrisome because it shows missed opportunities to harness the clean energy potential that solar power offers. As Botswana looks to its future energy strategy, prioritizing investment and development in solar and nuclear energy can play a pivotal role in transitioning towards a sustainable and reliable electricity system. It is imperative for the country to break this stagnation and embrace innovative energy strategies that align with global movements towards clean energy solutions.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.