In 2023, Ethiopia's electricity consumption remains significantly lower than the global average, with a total of 142 kWh per person, compared to the global average of 3649 kWh per person. The country's electricity generation is mainly from low-carbon sources, producing over 18 TWh annually, with hydropower contributing the majority of this at more than 17 TWh. Fossil energy contributes close to none, highlighting Ethiopia’s reliance on clean energy sources. However, despite this low-carbon orientation, the overall consumption level indicates insufficient generation capacity, which restricts Ethiopia's economic development, limits access to modern conveniences, and holds back social progress due to inadequate energy resources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Ethiopia?
Observing trends, electricity generation in Ethiopia is seeing gradual growth. The latest data from 2023 indicates a slight increase in total electricity consumption per person from the previous record of 139 kWh in 2022. This modest increase of 3 kWh per person is reflected similarly in the realm of low-carbon electricity, which has also seen an increase of 3 kWh per person to a total of 142 kWh. Although promising, this pace of growth isn't enough to keep pace with burgeoning demand or the potential for widespread electrification, meaning more robust efforts are necessary to further scale up clean energy output.
Suggestions
To expand its low-carbon electricity generation, Ethiopia can look towards successful examples in other regions. Given its sunny climate, Ethiopia could greatly benefit from a substantial increase in solar power, akin to India's expansion, which generated 157 TWh. Additionally, wind energy also presents a viable option, as seen in Brazil, which generates 115 TWh from wind. Besides these options, nuclear energy should be seriously considered for its reliable and clean characteristics; the progress of China in this regard, with 475 TWh, offers a productive model. Capitalizing on solar, wind, and potentially nuclear energy can propel Ethiopia toward enhanced sustainability and energy security, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change impact.
History
Ethiopia has been building its low-carbon energy foundation over the years, primarily focused on hydropower. Starting from the early 2000s, there were gradual increases in hydroelectric generation, with modest growths of around 0.3 TWh annually. The growth trajectory became more pronounced from the 2010s, where significant yearly increases were recorded, such as the 2.1 TWh jump in 2016. Despite a couple of setbacks in wind energy, hydroelectric capacity continued strong, showing substantial boosts, notably a 1.9 TWh increase in 2022. Emphasizing and learning from this history can enable Ethiopia to strategize more expansive and diversified growth in its future energy landscape, continuing the focus on sustainable, low-carbon power sources to meet its developmental needs.
