Electricity in Burkina Faso in 2022

As of 2022, Burkina Faso's electricity consumption heavily relies on imported electricity, amounting to 1.55 TWh, which is more than half of the country's total electricity needs. The per capita electricity consumption in Burkina Faso is quite low compared to the global average of 432 watts per person. Low-carbon energy sources, including hydro and solar, contribute insignificantly to the total electricity mix, while the rest comes from fossil fuels. The reliance on fossil energy is concerning since it can exacerbate climate change and air pollution. The overall low levels of electricity generation limit economic development, impacting everything from healthcare to education and industrial growth.

Suggestions

To address these challenges, Burkina Faso can look to successful global examples of increasing low-carbon electricity generation. For example, India, which shares some socio-economic similarities with Burkina Faso, has significant solar and wind capacities, generating 113 TWh and 82 TWh respectively. Burkina Faso can also learn from Brazil, which has effectively harnessed wind energy to produce around 96 TWh. Investing in solar energy, inspired by the experiences of China and India, can help Burkina Faso take advantage of its ample sunlight. Additionally, exploring wind energy, learning from countries like Brazil and India, would diversify and bolster the electricity mix. Countries such as the United States, France, and South Korea have successfully utilized nuclear energy for substantial electricity generation, which Burkina Faso should consider as a long-term, stable, and low-carbon alternative.

History

Historically, Burkina Faso has experienced a slow and inconsistent development of low-carbon electricity. Hydro energy saw minor increases of about 0.1 TWh in the late 1990s and mid-2010s, but no growth between 2001 and 2014. Solar energy started emerging in 2010 but contributed only minimally, with noticeable increments in 2018, boosting solar output by just 0.1 TWh. There have been no significant declines in the already modest low-carbon electricity generation recorded. Clearly, past efforts have been insufficient, but by focusing on scalable solutions like solar, wind, and nuclear, Burkina Faso can significantly enhance its electricity generation capacity in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources