Madagascar's electricity consumption in 2022 paints a picture of a nation heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with notably low electricity generation per person. Fossil fuels accounted for almost all of the electricity generation, with a total of around 1.71 TWh. This reliance on fossil fuels not only contributes to climate change but also results in air pollution, which can have adverse health effects. The total electricity consumed per person in Madagascar was approximately 87 kWh, which is significantly lower than the global average of 3658 kWh/person. Such low levels of electricity access and generation can hamper socioeconomic development, limit access to technology, and restrict improvements in living standards for the Malagasy people.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Madagascar?
Recent trends in electricity consumption in Madagascar indicate stagnation rather than growth, a worrying development for the country's energy future. The total electricity consumption per person decreased slightly from a previous high of 88 kWh/person in 2019 to 87 kWh/person in 2022. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a decline, with the latest figures at 31 kWh/person, down from a peak of 38 kWh/person in 2015. This decrease in clean energy generation is disappointing and underscores the need for Madagascar to invest more aggressively in low-carbon infrastructure to both diversify and expand its energy mix.
Suggestions
Madagascar can look towards regions that have successfully boosted their low-carbon energy generation, particularly in solar and nuclear technologies. For instance, China has made remarkable strides in solar electricity with 1170 TWh, and its success could serve as an inspiration for Madagascar to harness solar energy, given the country's abundant sunlight. Similarly, the United States' significant nuclear electricity generation of 778 TWh demonstrates the potential of nuclear energy as a reliable clean energy source that Madagascar could explore. Investing in solar and nuclear could help Madagascar reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, mitigate environmental impacts, and build a more sustainable and resilient energy system.
History
Historically, Madagascar has relied on hydroelectricity as its primary source of low-carbon energy, with modest growth observed in several years such as 1981, 1984, and more recently in 2018, all increasing by 0.1 TWh. However, there have been periods of stagnation and even small declines between 2016 and 2020. While hydro has been a dependable source, the nearly negligible presence of solar in 2022 highlights a missed opportunity for diversification and growth. It's crucial for Madagascar to break from this historical pattern of stagnation and work towards an energy landscape that emphasizes cleaner, more abundant sources like solar and nuclear to match the global trends of increasing reliance on clean energy to meet future electricity demand.
