In 2023, Côte d’Ivoire's electricity consumption is marked by a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, specifically gas, which constitutes almost two-thirds of its total electricity generation amounting to approximately 7.7 TWh. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources like hydropower account for a smaller share, generating around 3.5 TWh. This indicates that more than half of the electricity comes from fossil sources and less than a third from low-carbon sources. With the country's electricity consumption standing at 357 kWh per person, it is significant to note that this is far below the global average of 3649 kWh per person. Such low levels of electricity generation could hinder economic growth and development, as adequate electricity supply is crucial for industrial activities, improved living standards, and the advancement of technology.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Côte d’Ivoire?
The latest data shows a worrying trend in electricity consumption in Côte d’Ivoire. In 2023, the per person electricity consumption fell to 357 kWh from the previous record of 415 kWh/person in 2022, marking a decline by 58 kWh/person. Furthermore, low-carbon electricity, which stood at 111 kWh/person in 2023, is still below its historical peak of 199 kWh/person recorded in 1981, reflecting an even more significant decline of 88 kWh/person. This stagnation in electricity growth, particularly clean energy, is a concern as it could impede the country's capacity to reduce its carbon footprint and transition towards a greener and more sustainable economic model.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Côte d’Ivoire can draw lessons from regions around the globe that have successfully harnessed solar, wind, and nuclear power. For instance, solar power investments could follow the examples of countries such as Brazil and Australia, which generate 81 TWh and 55 TWh respectively. Furthermore, nuclear energy, which is a consistent and reliable form of clean energy, can follow the pathway of regions like France and Illinois, where nuclear constitutes a significant portion of electricity generation at 369 TWh and 99 TWh respectively. By pursuing solar and nuclear power investments, Côte d’Ivoire can create a more balanced electricity mix and reduce its fossil fuel dependency, while simultaneously fostering economic growth free from the constraints of energy shortages and aiding in global efforts to combat climate change.
History
Historically, the development of low-carbon electricity in Côte d’Ivoire has experienced several fluctuations, particularly in hydropower generation. In the early 1980s, there were notable increases and decreases, such as a 0.4 TWh increase in 1981 and a subsequent decrease of 1.3 TWh between 1983-1984. The mid-1990s saw another surge with a 0.6 TWh increase in 1995. However, a steady rise has been less common, as demonstrated by periodic declines, including a significant 0.8 TWh drop in 2021. Despite sporadic improvements, the overall sluggishness in expanding clean energy can be seen as a missed opportunity, emphasizing the urgent need for the country to take more robust actions to enhance its low-carbon electricity production systems.
