In Côte d’Ivoire, electricity consumption is primarily driven by fossil fuels, accounting for more than two-thirds of the total electricity generation with around 7.7 TWh from gas alone. In contrast, low-carbon electricity generation, such as hydropower, contributes about a third of the total, with hydropower specifically generating around 3.4 TWh. This reliance on fossil fuels contributes to environmental challenges like climate change and air pollution, which can be mitigated through increased use of clean energy sources. The country's electricity consumption translates to roughly 357 kWh per person, which is significantly lower than the global average of 3658 kWh per person. Such low levels of electricity generation can limit economic development, reduce access to modern services, and impact quality of life.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Côte d’Ivoire?
The recent trend in electricity consumption in Côte d’Ivoire is concerning, with a decrease from a historical high of 415 kWh per person in 2022 to the current 357 kWh per person in 2023. This decline of about -58 kWh per person signifies not only a regression from the previous year but also a continuing challenge, as low-carbon electricity generation has also decreased from the record high of 199 kWh per person in 1981 to the current 111 kWh per person. The reduction of -88 kWh per person in low-carbon generation underscores the need for urgent action to reverse this trend and to ensure energy security and sustainability.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Côte d’Ivoire can learn from regions excelling in solar and nuclear energy. China and India have made significant strides in solar energy, producing 1170 TWh and 162 TWh respectively, showcasing the potential for high solar outputs. Additionally, countries such as the United States and France demonstrate the impressive scalability of nuclear energy, generating 778 TWh and 371 TWh respectively. Incorporating these sustainable energy models can help Côte d'Ivoire expand its clean electricity share efficiently, thereby improving energy access and environmental protection.
History
Historically, the evolution of low-carbon electricity in Côte d’Ivoire has been turbulent, especially in hydropower. In the early 1980s, there was a modest increase in electricity generation, but the mid-1980s saw significant fluctuations, with a decline of around -0.7 TWh in 1984 followed by a recovery of 0.9 TWh in 1985. The 1990s and early 2000s saw manageable variations, with occasional small decreases between years. The late 2010s again experienced notable ups and downs, with a notable dip of -0.7 TWh in 2021 countered by a subsequent increase of 0.7 TWh in 2022. Despite these variations, the trajectory highlights an urgent need to stabilize and increase low-carbon electricity generation to meet growing energy demands sustainably. This can be addressed by supplementing hydropower with new solar and nuclear facilities for a more dependable and environmentally friendly power grid.
