Electricity in Burkina Faso in 2023
Electricity consumption in Burkina Faso is notably low when compared to the global average. With a total consumption of around 3 TWh, more than half comes from net imports, while fossil energy contributes roughly 1.43 TWh. Low-carbon energy, unfortunately, accounts for a minor segment, a situation demanding urgent attention as fossil fuels bring about detrimental impacts like climate change and air pollution. Electricity consumption in Burkina Faso stands at 144 kWh per person, significantly lower than the global average of 3662 kWh per person. These low levels of electricity generation can hinder economic growth and limit the quality of life due to insufficient access to energy resources required for development and innovation.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Burkina Faso?
In examining the growth of electricity in Burkina Faso, the recent data from 2023 indicates a decline in both total electricity consumption and low-carbon electricity generation per capita. With the total consumption decreasing to 144 kWh/person from the previous record of 147 kWh/person in 2021, this modest decrease conveys a slight backward movement. Low-carbon electricity generation also dipped from 14 kWh/person in 2021 to 13 kWh/person in 2023, showing a similar downward trend. Such stagnation in electricity growth, particularly in the clean energy sector, is worrisome as Burkina Faso endeavors to increase energy access, promote economic development, and respond to the exigent global call for cleaner energy sources.
Suggestions
To address the energy needs sustainably, Burkina Faso can look to successful countries that have significantly advanced their low-carbon energy capabilities. Countries like India have made substantial strides in solar energy, generating 166 TWh, while countries such as Texas and Brazil have excelled in wind energy with over 100 TWh each. Similarly, nuclear energy has played a vital role in the United States and France, with significant contributions. Burkina Faso can draw lessons from these examples by investing in solar and nuclear power as central pillars of sustainable development, considering the vast potential of solar power due to its geographical location and the efficacy of nuclear power in providing stable baseload energy.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Burkina Faso shows limited progress over the decades. In the late 1990s, several modest additions were made to hydroelectric generation. Incremental changes followed with slight growth in hydroelectric power during 1996 and 1999, and a later notable inclusion of 0.1 TWh in solar energy in 2018, and biofuels in the same year. However, the ensuing years saw stagnation, with no significant increases in these energy sectors. This historical sluggishness emphasizes an ongoing need for robust policy frameworks and investments geared towards scaling up low-carbon electricity, setting a sustainable trajectory for Burkina Faso’s energy sector.
