Electricity consumption in Côte d'Ivoire in 2023 is primarily dominated by fossil energy sources, with gas accounting for almost the entire fossil contribution at over 7.65 TWh. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources provide a smaller slice of the electricity mix, with hydropower contributing a significant portion of this at 3.35 TWh. Overall, the total electricity production in the country is about 357 kWh per person, which is significantly lower than the global average of 3813 kWh per person. This disparity highlights a concerning gap in electricity availability, suggesting potential challenges for economic development and quality of life, which rely heavily on stable and abundant electricity supplies. Notably, Côte d'Ivoire's energy mix could benefit greatly from expanding low-carbon sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which are linked to climate change and air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Côte d’Ivoire?
Despite the critical need for increased electricity generation, the recent statistics for Côte d'Ivoire indicate a worrying trend of decline in electricity consumption per person. From a historic high of 415 kWh/person in 2022, there has been a reduction to 357 kWh/person in 2023. This drop is not only in total electricity consumption but also in low-carbon electricity, which saw a significant decrease from the 1981 peak of 199 kWh/person to just 111 kWh/person in the latest data. Such downward trends in both overall and low-carbon electricity consumption reflect a pressing need for strategic initiatives to boost the country's electricity output, particularly focusing on sustainable and clean energy sources.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Côte d'Ivoire can draw lessons from the global leaders in clean energy. Countries like China and India have made significant strides in solar and wind energy, with China generating 834 TWh from solar and 992 TWh from wind. Côte d'Ivoire could focus on harnessing its abundant solar potential, similar to Brazil’s successful development of wind energy, which could be especially viable given the geographical and climatic parallels. Investing in nuclear energy, as seen in successful models from countries such as France and the United States, could also provide a stable and substantial source of low-carbon electricity. Emphasizing the development of solar and nuclear infrastructures would help Côte d'Ivoire transition towards a more sustainable energy future.
History
In the history of Côte d'Ivoire's low-carbon electricity generation, hydropower has been the primary contributor, with fluctuating trends over the decades. In the early 1980s, hydropower showed variability with a notable increase in 1981, yet subsequent years like 1983 and 1984 witnessed declines. The 1990s and early 2000s saw intermittent changes with minor decreases often followed by compensatory increases, such as in 1995 and 1999. More recent decades have experienced a similar pattern of fluctuations, including a significant spike in 2018 followed by gradual stability towards 2022. This historical variability suggests a need for diversification of low-carbon sources, especially aiming for stable, scalable, and clean options such as solar and nuclear power, to assure energy security and growth amidst climate challenges.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.