Cape Verde's current electricity consumption profile shows a significant reliance on fossil fuels, with more than two-thirds of the electricity being generated in this manner, accounting for 72% of the total. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources, including both wind and solar, contribute 28% to the overall electricity generation. Wind and solar energy are equally valuable in this mix, each providing 14% of the electricity. This composition highlights a promising, but still developing, energy landscape where low-carbon options are playing an increasingly important role, yet the dominance of fossil fuels remains a major concern from an environmental and sustainability perspective.
Is Electricity Growing in Cape Verde?
When considering the growth of electricity consumption in Cape Verde, it is clear that there has been an upward trajectory. In 2022, electricity consumption increased to 962 kWh per person, up from the previous peak of 878 kWh per person in 2016. This represents an increase of 84 kWh per person, which is an encouraging sign of growth in electricity use. Furthermore, low-carbon electricity consumption has also seen considerable growth, with 269 kWh per person reported in 2022, compared to the previous record of 176 kWh per person in 2013, marking an increase of 94 kWh per person. Both general and low-carbon electricity consumption have experienced positive growth trends, indicating progress towards expanded and cleaner energy usage.
Suggestions
Cape Verde can bolster its low-carbon electricity generation by expanding the existing wind and solar infrastructure, as these sources are already making substantial contributions to the electricity mix. The country can look to successful regions such as Denmark and Iowa, which respectively generate 57% and 62% of their electricity from wind, showcasing the potential of further investment in wind energy. Emulating the success of regions like Greece and Nevada, which derive 26% and 29% of their electricity from solar, could also be beneficial. While Cape Verde does not currently utilize nuclear energy, the impressive shares of nuclear electricity, such as France's 69% and Slovakia's 64%, serve as a global benchmark for integrating nuclear power into a low-carbon energy strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Cape Verde, the data reveals a relatively static period across the first two decades of the 21st century, with no significant changes in wind power generation and no recorded capacity in solar energy for many years. This story changed in 2022, when solar contributed a small yet meaningful increase, signifying a slow shift towards diversifying the energy mix. While the past decades have seen consistent levels of wind energy, the incremental introduction of solar in recent years is a positive development, marking a period of modest transformation and the beginning of a more diverse and low-carbon electricity future for Cape Verde.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.