Electricity in Djibouti in 2023
In 2023, electricity consumption in Djibouti comprises a significant reliance on net imports, accounting for more than 70% of their electricity needs. Fossil fuels contribute to roughly 18% of the electricity supply, indicating a dependency on traditional energy sources. On the other hand, clean energy makes up about 10% of the electricity generation, with wind energy contributing a noteworthy amount in this category. This mix highlights both a reliance on imported electricity and a need for expansion in home-grown low-carbon energy sources.
Is Electricity Growing in Djibouti?
The trend of electricity consumption in Djibouti has seen a slight decrease, with the current per-person consumption standing at 616 kWh, compared to a record 633 kWh per person in 2021. This downturn in consumption by 17 kWh per person is a cause for concern, as meeting the growing demands of electrification and advanced technologies requires upward momentum in electricity usage. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per person slightly decreased from 62 kWh in 2021 to 61 kWh in 2023, showing a small decline that should be addressed to support sustainable future growth.
Suggestions
Djibouti can boost its low-carbon electricity generation by learning from successful regions. Denmark and South Dakota are exemplary in harnessing wind energy, displaying an impressive contribution of 57% and 60% respectively, showcasing the potential for expanding wind power. In parallel, Djibouti can look towards regions like Lebanon and Yemen that have ventured into solar energy, contributing 31% and 17% to their electricity, respectively. Most importantly, Djibouti should also consider investing in nuclear energy, learning from France and Slovakia, which generate 69% and 64% of their electricity, respectively, from nuclear power. Expanding both nuclear and solar energy could ensure a robust and clean electricity supply for Djibouti.
History
Historically, Djibouti's low-carbon electricity generation has been primarily driven by wind energy in recent years. In 2021, there was a growth of 0.1 TWh in wind electricity generation, but the following two years saw stagnation with no additional increase, remaining at 0 TWh growth both in 2022 and 2023. This stagnation in the growth of clean electricity sources is worrisome, given the critical need for expanding clean energy to combat the negative effects of fossil fuel reliance such as climate change and pollution. Expanding the share of low-carbon electricity should be a priority for the coming years to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly energy development in Djibouti.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.