In Madagascar, the state of electricity consumption in 2022 was marked by a heavy dependence on fossil fuels and a worrying low usage of low-carbon energy. Fossil generation accounted for a significant portion of the energy mix at approximately 1.71 TWh, while the per capita electricity consumption overall was just about 87 kWh. This is a stark contrast to the global average electricity consumption of 3662 kWh/person, underscoring the substantial gap Madagascar faces. The low levels of electricity generation have significant implications, potentially limiting industrial development, economic growth, and access to essential services. Moreover, the reliance on fossil fuels is concerning in terms of its environmental impact, including contributions to climate change and air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Madagascar?
Unfortunately, the data reveals that electricity consumption in Madagascar is not currently experiencing growth. In 2022, the electricity consumption per person at 87 kWh was slightly lower than the prior record of 88 kWh/person in 2019. The levels of low-carbon electricity generation have also decreased from a high of 38 kWh/person in 2015 to just 31 kWh/person in 2022. This stagnation poses worrying signs for the country's development and its capacity to adopt cleaner energy solutions. An ongoing decrease in clean energy generation is particularly alarming in light of global needs to transition toward more sustainable energy systems amid rising environmental concerns.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Madagascar can learn from other regions that have successfully diversified their energy sources. China, for instance, has demonstrated substantial growth in solar and wind power, generating 1170 TWh and 1130 TWh respectively. Such efforts highlight the potential of solar and wind energy, which are highly suitable given Madagascar's ample sunlight and wind potential. Nuclear energy is another critical avenue; countries like France and the United States have capitalized on nuclear to generate large amounts of electricity—373 TWh and 784 TWh respectively—indicating its effectiveness as a clean energy source. Implementing solar and nuclear energy strategies could help Madagascar increase its low-carbon electricity generation and ensure a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
History
Historically, Madagascar's low-carbon electricity development has been primarily driven by hydroelectric power, with occasional small increases in generation. Most noticeably, there were years such as 1981, 1984, 1995, and others in the early 21st century where hydro grew by 0.1 TWh annually. However, there have also been periods such as 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020 that experienced a decline or stagnation, indicating inconsistency in growth. In 2022, the country saw zero growth in hydroelectric production alongside nominal solar energy generation. For a sustainable future, it is crucial Madagascar facilitates the growth of new and innovative clean energy options, seizing upon consistent solar resources while leveraging the potential of nuclear energy to bolster its electricity infrastructure.
