Electricity in Eritrea in 2022

As of 2022, Eritrea's electricity consumption is significantly low, with close to none of its total generation coming from low-carbon sources such as nuclear, wind, and solar. The electricity consumption per person in Eritrea is far below the global average of 432 watts per person. This stark contrast suggests that modern amenities and services that rely heavily on electricity might be limited or unavailable for many Eritreans. Additionally, the heavy reliance on fossil fuels contributes to pollution and climate change, further exacerbating challenges related to health and environmental sustainability.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Eritrea can look to countries that have successfully harnessed nuclear, wind, and solar energy. For example, China has significantly expanded its wind energy capacity, producing 886 TWh, and its solar output is impressive as well, at 584 TWh. Neighboring developing countries like India, which generates 113 TWh from solar sources and 82 TWh from wind, show that substantial contributions from clean energy are achievable. By investing in similar low-carbon energy sources, particularly focusing on solar and wind, Eritrea can emulate these examples to build a more sustainable and resilient electricity grid.

History

Historically, Eritrea has had negligible growth in low-carbon electricity generation. From 1997 through 2019, solar energy consistently showed zero change in electricity generation. Wind energy also appeared on record only briefly in 2008 and 2009, again with no significant increase in output. The absence of progress in deploying either solar or wind energy points to a missed opportunity over the past decades. Going forward, Eritrea needs to break this pattern by implementing robust policies and strategic investments to avoid another two decades of stagnation in low-carbon development.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources