In Cape Verde, the landscape of electricity consumption is largely dominated by fossil energy, which accounts for a significant 72% of the total electricity usage. This reliance points to a heavy dependence on fossil fuels, which contribute to environmental issues such as climate change and air pollution. On the brighter side, the country harnesses its abundant natural resources to generate low-carbon electricity, contributing to 28% of its total electricity usage. Interestingly, the generation from solar and wind is evenly split, with each contributing around 14%. The move towards cleaner energy forms like solar and wind reflects a positive step in reducing fossil fuel dependence, although there's more room for progress.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Cape Verde?
Electricity consumption in Cape Verde is on the rise, which is noteworthy for a small island nation. In 2022, the consumption per person rose to 962 kWh, surpassing the previous high of 878 kWh per person recorded in 2016, showing an increase of 84 kWh per person. This increase signals a growing demand for electricity as the country possibly experiences economic growth or an increasing interest in electrification. More importantly, low-carbon electricity generation also shows a promising trend with 269 kWh per person in 2022, which is a considerable jump from the 176 kWh per person recorded back in 2013. This rise by 94 kWh per person indicates a successful shift towards more sustainable electricity production.
Suggestions
To further boost low-carbon electricity generation, Cape Verde could expand its already growing solar and wind sectors. Looking at the experiences of regions similar to Cape Verde, such as Uruguay and its 34% electricity generation from wind, makes a compelling case for scaling up wind energy. Following the United Kingdom, which generates 28% of its electricity from wind, could also offer valuable insights. Additionally, Cape Verde can draw inspiration from Nevada in integrating solar power, where 34% of the electricity is generated from solar energy. While the country doesn't yet have nuclear capabilities, exploring this option could provide a significant boost in low-carbon generation, similar to how regions like France and South Korea have benefited extensively from nuclear energy.
History
Historically, Cape Verde's journey toward low-carbon electricity mostly saw stagnation when it came to wind and solar energy until recently. From the early 2000s through to 2021, wind energy generation remained flat, without any increase recorded. Solar, on the other hand, also remained stagnant after its introduction in 2011, also showing no increase until 2022. However, the year 2022 did bring some hope with an increase in solar electricity generation by 0.1 TWh, signaling the beginning of potential growth in harnessing solar power. Continuing this momentum could enable Cape Verde to transition towards a more sustainable and reliable electricity system in the coming years.
