Electricity in Congo - Kinshasa in 2022

In Congo - Kinshasa, the state of electricity consumption is characterized by a significant reliance on low-carbon energy sources. The country produced approximately 11 TWh of electricity from hydropower in 2022, aligning closely with its total low-carbon electricity generation of 11.04 TWh. Additionally, net imports stood at about 1.41 TWh. This aggregates to a per capita electricity consumption of only around 18 watts, which is significantly lower than the global average of 432 watts per person. The low levels of electricity generation could lead to numerous challenges, including limited economic development, poor quality of life, and restricted access to essential services like healthcare and education.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Congo - Kinshasa can look to examples from other countries that have successfully harnessed different clean technologies. For instance, the People's Republic of China and the United States have made significant advancements in wind power, generating 886 TWh and 425 TWh respectively. Solar power is another promising avenue, with India and China generating substantial amounts—113 TWh and 584 TWh respectively. Given Congo - Kinshasa's geographic position and climate, these examples suggest that investing in wind and solar energy could yield substantial benefits. Additionally, despite Congo - Kinshasa's current focus on hydropower, incorporating nuclear energy—like the 336 TWh generated in France—could provide a stable and reliable complement to variable wind and solar power.

History

Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in Congo - Kinshasa, there have been various fluctuations in hydropower generation. During the 1980s and early 1990s, the country saw minor increases, including a 0.4 TWh rise in 1985 and 0.8 TWh in 1992, offset by occasional declines. The mid-1990s experienced more mixed results, with a significant drop of 1.1 TWh in 1997. More recently, hydropower generation saw marked improvements, particularly from 2013 onwards, including a notable spike of 1.1 TWh in 2018. However, 2021 saw a decrease of 0.9 TWh. This fluctuation underscores the need for Congo - Kinshasa to diversify its low-carbon energy portfolio to ensure a more stable and sustainable electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources