Electricity in Botswana in 2023
In Botswana, the current state of electricity consumption shows a marked reliance on fossil fuels, with more than half of the electricity being sourced from coal. Specifically, coal accounts for nearly 55% of electricity generation, which highlights its dominant role in the country’s energy mix. Additionally, a significant portion of Botswana's electricity comes from net imports, constituting more than 42% of the total. On the other hand, low-carbon energy plays an almost negligible role, contributing close to none in terms of generation. The country's current reliance on fossil fuels is worrying due to their negative effects such as climate change and air pollution, underscoring the urgent need to shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Botswana?
When we observe the trends in electricity consumption in Botswana, it becomes evident that there has been a decline in per capita electricity use since the historic peak in 2015. The latest data indicates that electricity consumption is 1818 kWh per person, down by 194 kWh from the highest recorded figure in 2015. This reduction suggests stagnation rather than growth in electricity consumption, a worrying trend considering the increasing global demand for electricity spurred by electrification and technological advances like AI. The lack of growth in low-carbon electricity generation is particularly concerning, as current figures reveal a stagnation at 4 kWh per person, which remains unchanged since the previous record in 2019.
Suggestions
To effectively increase low-carbon electricity generation, Botswana can look to countries with successful examples of integrating clean energy into their electricity mix. Considering similar climatic and geographical conditions, Botswana might focus on expanding solar energy generation, similar to what regions like California with 31% and Nevada at 34% have achieved. Additionally, to ensure a reliable and steady supply of low-carbon electricity, exploring the potential of nuclear energy could be pivotal, drawing inspiration from France where nuclear energy constitutes 67% of their electricity generation. By focusing on solar and nuclear, Botswana can create a balanced approach to meeting its future electricity needs sustainably and reliably.
History
Historically, the development of low-carbon electricity in Botswana has been stagnant, particularly concerning solar energy. Over the past decade, from 2012 to 2023, the contribution of solar energy has remained consistently at zero, highlighting an opportunity for tremendous growth in this area. This pattern of no change reveals a significant missed opportunity for the promotion and development of clean energy resources. By breaking away from this pattern, Botswana can accelerate the adoption of green energy technologies, contributing to a more diversified and sustainable electricity sector while reducing the environmental impact associated with fossil fuels.
