In 2022, Ethiopia's electricity consumption featured a significant reliance on low-carbon energy sources, with more than 15 TWh generated from hydropower, which accounted for nearly all of the low-carbon electricity. Unfortunately, fossil fuels contributed close to none, reflecting Ethiopia's commitment to clean energy. However, when comparing Ethiopia's electricity consumption on a per-capita basis, it falls significantly short of the global average of 432 watts per person. This gap suggests challenges in providing adequate electricity to support economic growth and improve living standards, potentially limiting advancements in healthcare, education, and technology.
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Ethiopia can look at the successes of other nations. For example, India has made significant strides in solar energy, generating over 110 TWh, and wind energy, producing around 80 TWh. These solutions can be adapted to Ethiopia’s geographic and climatic conditions, given that both countries share similar development challenges. Additionally, countries like Brazil have successfully incorporated wind energy into their electricity mix, generating around 96 TWh. By leveraging international expertise and investing in solar and wind infrastructure, Ethiopia can expand its green energy capacity and reduce reliance on any potential future fossil fuel use.
The history of low-carbon electricity in Ethiopia has shown continual growth, particularly in the 21st century. From 2001 to 2006, there were annual increases in hydropower generation up to 0.4 TWh. A notable jump occurred in the 2010s, with particularly large increases in 2010 and 2016, contributing 1.4 TWh and 2.1 TWh, respectively. Wind energy also began to contribute from 2015 onwards, although there were minor setbacks in subsequent years. In the last decade, consistent growth in hydropower has been the main driver of Ethiopia's clean energy sector, indicating a robust and enduring commitment to low-carbon development.