Electricity in Mali in 2022

As of 2022, Mali's electricity consumption is primarily reliant on fossil fuels, with around 2.3 TWh generated from these non-renewable sources. Low-carbon energy sources, including hydropower which produced about 1.4 TWh, contributed a total of 1.5 TWh. This means that less than half of Mali's electricity comes from low-carbon sources, with a heavy dependence on fossil fuels. The total electricity consumption, considering Mali's population, translates to a very low average of approximately 90 watts per person, significantly below the global average of 432 watts per person. This low level of electricity generation can hinder economic growth and limit access to essential services such as healthcare and education, which are crucial for the overall development of the country.

Suggestions

Mali can look to successful low-carbon energy strategies from other countries to increase its sustainable electricity generation. For instance, India, a country with some similarities to Mali in terms of development challenges, has managed to generate significant amounts of electricity from solar (113 TWh) and wind (82 TWh). These successes could be replicated in Mali by investing in solar farms and wind turbines, leveraging the abundant sunlight and favorable conditions in parts of the country. Additionally, learning from Brazil’s wind (96 TWh) and solar (52 TWh) achievements or even smaller but impactful examples like Pakistan’s nuclear generation (22 TWh), could guide Mali in diversifying its energy mix. By adopting these technologies and policies, Mali can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, curb pollution, and contribute to mitigating climate change.

History

Historically, Mali's journey in low-carbon electricity generation has seen modest but critical developments over the past two decades. Starting in 2000, biofuels contributed a small but noteworthy 0.1 TWh. From 2000 to 2010, hydropower projects faced intermittent progress, with notable increments such as the 0.2 TWh in 2005 and a more significant 0.4 TWh increase in 2010. The second decade showed more fluctuations, with hydropower generation experiencing both rises and falls, like a 0.4 TWh increase in 2016 followed by declines in subsequent years. Most recently, in 2022, there was a positive addition of 0.4 TWh from hydropower. Consistent development and expanding on lessons from previous decades could pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable electricity sector in Mali.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources