In 2023, Mali's electricity consumption displays a noticeable reliance on fossil fuels, with over half (approximately 57%) of its total electricity generation coming from fossil energy sources, amounting to 2.5 TWh. On the other hand, low-carbon energy, which includes both hydropower and a small fraction of biofuels, supplies about 1.86 TWh, with hydropower contributing almost the entire low-carbon output at 1.64 TWh. This means Mali's electricity usage per person stands at around 193 kWh, significantly lower than the global average of 3781 kWh per person. The limited electricity generation restricts socio-economic growth and development, potentially impeding educational, health, and technological advancements and leading to widespread energy poverty concerns.
Is Electricity Growing in Mali?
The recent downward trend in electricity consumption in Mali is disconcerting. From a record high of 200 kWh per person in 2022, the consumption fell to 193 kWh per person in 2023, marking a decrease of seven units. Similarly, the production of low-carbon electricity has diminished over time, dropping from a high of 82 kWh per person in 2016 to 78 kWh per person in 2023. This reduction in electricity availability can adversely affect the country's ability to support a growing population or expand its industrial activities. The stagnation or marginal decline in low-carbon electricity reveals the urgent need for strategies and investments to reverse this trend and align with global clean energy objectives.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Mali can learn from successful regions and aim to integrate more solar and nuclear energy into its grid. Countries like India and Japan have made significant strides in solar technology, generating 150 TWh and 99 TWh respectively, through their solar initiatives. Similarly, the United States and France exemplify robust nuclear programs, having generated 781 TWh and 363 TWh respectively, which assure steady and scalable power production. By adopting best practices and technology from these regions - focusing on both solar and nuclear energy - Mali has the opportunity to significantly raise its low-carbon generation capacity and ensure a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
History
Historically, the growth of low-carbon electricity in Mali has seen slow but somewhat varied changes. In the early 2000s, biofuels contributed marginally with an increase of 0.1 TWh in 2000, while hydropower saw no substantial changes until a modest rise by 0.2 TWh in 2005. The decade of the 2010s experienced some fluctuations, with notable increases in hydropower in 2010 and 2014 but also setbacks like the decline in 2013 and again in 2015. Recently, 2020 featured minor improvements in both solar and hydro outputs, although these were offset by a slight decrease in hydro in 2021. Encouragingly, a recovery was seen in 2022 with an additional 0.3 TWh from hydropower, affirming the potential for consistent hydropower contributions, and laying the groundwork for Mali’s future low-carbon energy expansion.