Electricity in Gambia in 2023
In 2023, Gambia's electricity consumption stands at approximately 189 kWh per person. This modest consumption level means that each Gambian consumes less than a tenth of the global average of 3781 kWh per person, highlighting significant disparity. The majority of Gambia’s electricity generation relies heavily on fossil fuels, with close to none coming from low-carbon or clean energy sources such as solar or nuclear. The reliance on fossil energy poses environmental challenges, contributes to climate change, and represents a missed opportunity for sustainable development. These low levels of electricity generation can hinder economic growth and the improvement of living standards, affecting areas like healthcare, education, and industry, which rely heavily on energy access.
Is Electricity Growing in Gambia?
Assessing the trend in Gambia's electricity consumption reveals a rather stagnant state, with a minor decrease of 5 kWh per person from the previous record in 2021, from 194 kWh to 189 kWh per person. This change signals a negligible decline rather than growth, which is concerning given the increasing needs for energy. Even more troubling is the lack of improvements in low-carbon electricity generation, which remains at 0 kWh per person, unchanged since the record of 0 kWh in the year 2000. In an era where sustainable and clean energy is crucial for combating climate change and fostering growth, Gambia's stagnation in this area is troubling.
Suggestions
Gambia can look towards successful regions to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, specifically by investing in solar and nuclear energy. If we consider regions like the People's Republic of China and the United States, which are leading in wind and solar, they demonstrate the critical role these technologies can play in cleaner electricity generation. For example, China generates 992 TWh from wind and 834 TWh from solar, illustrating the immense potential of these clean energy technologies. Similarly, the United States excels with 782 TWh from nuclear energy and a significant contribution from solar and wind. Gambia, with its abundant sunshine, could particularly benefit from solar energy, similar to Brazil's achievements, and should also consider tapping into the reliable base-load power that nuclear energy can provide.
History
Historically, Gambia has shown little to no progress in low-carbon electricity generation. From past decades, data shows consistent stagnation with no significant changes or developments. Unlike other regions that have seen fluctuating figures due to policy changes and technological developments, Gambia has not yet initiated significant shifts in its energy strategy to embrace solar or nuclear power. This lack of history in clean electricity underlines the pressing need for action and transformation in Gambia’s energy landscape, prioritizing investment in solar and nuclear technology for a sustainable future. Attempts to increase low-carbon energy use should be a key component of future energy policies.