Electricity in Central African Republic in 2022

In 2022, the Central African Republic had a notably low electricity consumption rate with each person using much less than global averages. Low-carbon electricity sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear are virtually absent, while the country relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to climate change and air pollution. With the global average electricity consumption at 3,638 watts per person, citizens in the Central African Republic consume significantly less, leading to limited access to the benefits of modern technology. These low levels of electricity generation negatively impact quality of life, limiting opportunities for economic development, access to education, and healthcare improvements.

Suggestions

The Central African Republic has significant opportunities to expand its low-carbon electricity generation. Drawing from examples in countries like Brazil and India, which generate substantial electricity from wind and solar, similar strategies can be employed. Despite being more developed, these countries share geographical similarities with Central Africa, such as favorable conditions for solar and wind energy. Additionally, investing in nuclear power, like that in South Africa or Argentina, could provide consistent and clean electricity. Emulating these countries' successes offers a pathway to improve energy security and environmental quality, ultimately supporting sustainable development.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in the Central African Republic is primarily characterized by stagnant growth in hydropower. Since 2000, the country saw a negligible increase of only 0.1 TWh in hydropower electricity generation, with no further growth in subsequent years up to 2019. This indicates a significant gap in developing other low-carbon sources such as wind, solar, or nuclear, which remain unexplored. The absence of expansion in these areas underlines the urgent need to diversify electricity production to access sustainable electricity that benefits both the population and the environment.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources