In 2022, Madagascar's electricity consumption was relatively low, with a total generation of fossil energy amounting to just over 1.7 TWh. Low-carbon or clean energy was a substantial part of the remaining electricity mix, though detailed numbers were not provided aside from solar being present yet unchanging. The country's per capita electricity consumption stood at 87 kWh, which is well below the global average of 3813 kWh per person. This stark disparity highlights significant constraints in Madagascar's ability to meet both current and future energy demands, potentially stifling economic growth, technological development, and improvements in living standards. The low levels of electricity generation are particularly concerning in the context of accelerating electric vehicle adoption, digitalization, and other key components of a sustainable and technologically driven future.
Is Electricity Growing in Madagascar?
Examining the trend of electricity consumption in Madagascar, it's clear that there has been little to no growth. The latest figure of 87 kWh per person is marginally less than the previous record of 88 kWh per person from 2019. Within the scope of low-carbon electricity, there was an 8 kWh per person decline from the previous peak in 2015, standing at 31 kWh per person in 2022. This stagnation is quite worrying, especially at a time when many countries are making strides in increasing their clean energy outputs. Given the urgent global challenge of climate change coupled with the potential economic benefits of reliable and sustainable electricity, Madagascar’s apparent stagnation is a substantial issue that necessitates tactical intervention.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Madagascar can take cues from countries with effective solar and wind energy production. Countries such as India, which generated 134 TWh from solar, and Brazil, with 108 TWh from wind, showcase modest pathways that Madagascar could emulate due to similar geographical and environmental conditions that favor sunlight and wind. While nuclear power's significant electricity share in countries like France and South Korea serves as a pertinent example of how nuclear could bolster Madagascar's strategy, focusing on solar technology might be particularly advantageous given Madagascar's ample sunlight. The strategic harnessing of solar energy, in conjunction with exploring potential for nuclear, could significantly increase Madagascar’s clean electricity output and help serve its growing energy demands sustainably.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in Madagascar, hydroelectric power has been the primary contributor. From the early 1980s through to 2022, hydro saw modest increments of about 0.1 TWh in several years like 1981, 1984, and 1995, followed by a few slight declines, particularly noticeable from 2016 to 2020. Post-2020, the growth remained stagnant, signaling a need for diversification of the low-carbon energy portfolio. Notably, solar energy showed no change in generation for 2022, indicative of a sector that is ripe for expansion. Exploring avenues of solar energy investment and possible nuclear ventures would be strategic moves for Madagascar to revitalize its clean energy journey, overcome stagnation, and meet future electricity demands efficiently.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.