In 2023, Burkina Faso's electricity consumption relies heavily on net imports and fossil fuels, with the latter contributing around 1.43 TWh, making up a significant portion of the total production. It is noteworthy that almost the entirety of Burkina Faso's electricity consumption exceeds 3 TWh when including imports, but the contribution from low-carbon sources like solar and hydro is minimal. This situation is concerning, especially when comparing it to the global average electricity consumption, which is around 3794 kWh per person, whereas in Burkina Faso, it is only 144 kWh per person. Such low levels of electricity generation can have adverse effects on economic growth, access to essential services, and overall quality of life.

Is Electricity Growing in Burkina Faso?

A look at recent data indicates a slight decline in electricity consumption per person in Burkina Faso, falling from 147 kWh in 2021 to 144 kWh in 2023. There is also a small dip in low-carbon electricity generation per person, from 14 kWh in 2021 to 13 kWh in 2023. Although the changes are minor, they highlight a worrying trend of stagnation in electricity growth, which could hinder future development and electrification efforts. Addressing this decline is crucial for Burkina Faso's sustainable development and to meet its future electricity demands, especially for low-carbon and clean electricity to reduce the negative impacts of fossil fuels, such as climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Burkina Faso can draw lessons from regions that have successfully expanded solar and nuclear energy. For instance, countries such as China and the United States have achieved significant generation from solar, with China producing 1266 TWh and the U.S. at 414 TWh. Similarly, nuclear energy has been prominent in countries like France and the United States, with generation figures of 379 TWh and 792 TWh, respectively. Burkina Faso could explore partnerships and investments to develop similar projects, capitalizing on its abundant solar resources to deploy solar farms, and eventually considering nuclear options to establish a robust and diversified clean energy portfolio.

History

Historically, Burkina Faso has seen modest developments in low-carbon electricity. The late 1990s and beyond witnessed small increments of hydroelectric production, with minimal growth throughout the 2000s. A slight diversification occurred in 2018 with the introduction of solar and biofuels into the energy mix, though their impact remained limited. This highlights the need for a more ambitious and strategic approach to growing the country’s low-carbon electricity output, especially given the global urgency and opportunity to transition towards sustainable and green energy sources. Expanding solar capacity and initiating nuclear energy discussions could transform Burkina Faso's energy landscape for the better.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade