In Madagascar, electricity consumption in 2022 was predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, generating about 1.71 TWh. In terms of clean energy, hydroelectricity and solar made up the remainder, with hardly any solar generation contributing to the mix. When spread across the population, the total electricity consumption was just 87 kWh per person, an extraordinarily low figure compared to the global average of 3,781 kWh per person. This stark discrepancy highlights significant challenges associated with such low electricity consumption levels, including limited economic opportunities, reduced quality of life, and hindered access to digital technologies, all of which are typically supported by higher levels of electricity generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Madagascar?
The growth of electricity use in Madagascar is not promising, with the latest consumption figures remaining slightly below the historic peak of 88 kWh per person recorded in 2019. In terms of clean energy, the situation is worse, as the 2022 low-carbon electricity generation fell to 31 kWh per person, a noticeable decline from the 38 kWh per person generated in 2015. This overall stagnation and even decline in clean electricity generation is concerning, particularly given the global need to move towards greener energy solutions to combat climate change and reduce air pollution from fossil fuels.
Suggestions
For Madagascar to increase its low-carbon electricity generation, learning from several countries excelling in clean energy is crucial. Regions like China and the United States have invested heavily in both solar and nuclear energy, producing substantial amounts of electricity. China’s massive wind and solar undertakings, alongside nuclear investments, and the United States’ significant contributions in nuclear, wind, and solar, provide exemplary models. Madagascar could benefit substantially from developing solar initiatives, given its sunny climate, and exploring the possibilities of nuclear energy to diversify and stabilize its electricity supply. Both could serve as robust foundations for a clean energy future, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and aligning with global sustainable energy trends.
History
Madagascar's history of low-carbon electricity generation has shown small but positive growth in hydroelectricity, particularly during the early 1980s through to the mid-2000s, with minor increases recorded nearly every few years. However, there have been periods of stagnation and slight declines, as observed in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020, reflecting a broader trend of insufficient progress in scaling up clean energy sources. The recent years of 2021 and 2022 saw no further growth in hydroelectricity, and solar energy remains negligible. This history emphasizes the urgent need for sustained investments and policies targeted at increasing the share of low-carbon electricity to foster long-term energy security and socio-economic development.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.