Electricity in Eritrea in 2023
In 2023, Eritrea's electricity consumption remains considerably low, largely reliant on fossil fuel sources, making it challenging compared to global averages. With more than half of its electricity still generated from fossil energy, Eritrea faces the environmental and health repercussions associated with high carbon emissions. On the cleaner front, Eritrea has made strides in solar energy, which constitutes a notable part of its low-carbon electricity generation. However, the total electricity generation per person is significantly below the global average, which is about 3813 watts per person. This limited capacity often leads to electricity shortages, which can impede economic development and reduce overall quality of life by affecting everything from healthcare services to educational facilities.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Eritrea can focus on expanding its solar infrastructure, as it already contributes a substantial portion to the country's electricity needs. Eritrea can draw inspiration from countries like India, which has seen significant growth in solar electricity generation, reaching 134 TWh. Additionally, while solar is promising, Eritrea should consider diversifying its green energy portfolio by considering wind energy as observed in countries like Brazil, generating 108 TWh of wind power, and India with 82 TWh of the same. Learning from these examples, Eritrea should not only expand its current solar capabilities but also explore the potentials of nuclear energy, an avenue that could be sustainable for reliable and continuous clean power supply.
History
Reviewing the history of low-carbon electricity in Eritrea reveals a focus solely on solar power, with no significant increases in electricity generation recorded up through 2019. Throughout the early 2000s, solar energy generation remained stagnant. The data from the last few decades shows that while there has been an acknowledgment of solar's role in the electrical landscape, Eritrea has not yet capitalized on the advancements and opportunities seen in global solar and wind energy progressions. This under-utilization emphasizes the need for Eritrea to adopt newer technologies and strategies that have proven successful internationally. With a focus on expanding low-carbon options such as nuclear, wind, and especially solar, Eritrea can improve its electricity generation capabilities and move away from the environmentally damaging impacts of fossil fuels.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.