Electricity in Mali in 2022

In 2022, Mali's electricity consumption was predominantly reliant on fossil energy, which contributed about 2.3 TWh to the nation's energy mix. This means that more than half of Mali's electricity came from fossil fuels. Low-carbon electricity, encompassing both hydropower and other clean sources, accounted for a total of 1.5 TWh, with hydropower alone contributing the majority at 1.4 TWh. In this context, almost a third of the electricity used in Mali can be considered green. However, compared to the global average of 3638 watts per person, Mali's electricity generation per person lags significantly behind. This limited access to electricity can stifle economic development, hinder educational opportunities, and impact overall quality of life. Moreover, the reliance on fossil fuels contributes to climate change and air pollution, whereas increasing low-carbon electricity would mitigate these issues.

Suggestions

To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Mali could draw valuable insights from several countries. India and Brazil have successfully tapped into solar and wind energy, respectively, with India generating about 128 TWh from solar and Brazil producing around 102 TWh from wind. Such strategies could be viable for Mali, given the geographical and climatic similarities that could favorably support solar and wind projects. Furthermore, expanding nuclear energy, as seen in countries like France and South Korea, which produce 360 TWh and 178 TWh from nuclear power respectively, can provide a steady and reliable source of clean electricity. By learning from these countries, Mali could diversify its electricity mix, contribute to climate change mitigation, enhance energy security, and foster sustainable development.

History

Historically, Mali's low-carbon electricity generation has primarily centered around hydropower, with modest incremental changes over the years. In the early 2000s, biofuels saw a minor introduction while hydropower growth remained largely stagnant until 2005, when a noticeable increase of about 0.2 TWh was recorded. This was followed by periodic fluctuations, with some years experiencing growth, such as 2010 and 2022, where there was a notable rise of 0.4 TWh. However, there were also years marked by declines in hydropower, such as in 2013 and 2019, with decreases of 0.1 TWh and 0.4 TWh, respectively. This variability highlights the need for Mali to establish a more robust, diversified framework for clean electricity, potentially by further integrating solar, wind, and nuclear energies to ensure a more stable and sustainable energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources