In 2023, Eritrea’s electricity consumption was just 127 kWh per person—about 3% of the global average of 3,794 kWh, or roughly one-thirtieth as much. Low-carbon electricity generation was only 14 kWh per person, equivalent to around 11% of consumption. This indicates a small clean-electricity contribution, although the supplied data do not give a detailed breakdown of fossil electricity sources. Such limited electricity availability can constrain healthcare, education, refrigeration, water pumping and business development. Expanding clean electricity would help improve living standards while limiting the air pollution and climate impacts associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Eritrea?

Eritrea’s latest figures do not show sustained electricity growth relative to its historical peaks. Consumption of 127 kWh per person in 2023 was about 29 kWh below the 2018 record of 155 kWh—roughly an 18% shortfall. Low-carbon generation was also below its record, falling from 15 kWh per person in 2019 to 14 kWh in 2023. These comparisons do not establish whether consumption increased or decreased in the latest individual year, but they show that earlier highs have not been regained. That is concerning when more electricity is needed for wider access, electrification and future economic development.

Suggestions

Eritrea should prioritize expanding its existing solar generation, building on an established clean-electricity source while increasing its currently modest absolute output. Sunny regions offer useful examples: Pakistan generates 41 TWh from solar, the United Arab Emirates 14 TWh, and the US state of Arizona 23 TWh. Eritrea could draw lessons from their solar deployment while expanding electricity networks, storage and local technical skills. Wind could provide another low-carbon contribution where local measurements confirm suitable conditions; South Africa’s 12 TWh of wind generation offers an African reference. Nuclear should also be considered within long-term electricity planning and regional cooperation: the United Arab Emirates generates 32 TWh from nuclear, while South Africa generates 12 TWh. These examples illustrate opportunities rather than output targets for Eritrea.

History

The historical data show a prolonged period without reported increases in low-carbon electricity generation at the precision provided. Solar recorded zero annual change from 1997 through 2007, and both solar and wind recorded zero change from 2008 through 2010. The later solar entries for 2017–2019 also show no reported annual change. These figures do not mean that generation itself was zero, and small increases could be hidden by rounding; the unlisted years also cannot be assessed. Nevertheless, the available record shows no clear expansion, reinforcing the need for a stronger, sustained buildout of clean electricity, especially solar.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade