Mali's electricity consumption in 2023 shows a significant reliance on fossil fuels, with more than half of its electricity generated from these sources, accounting for around 2.5 terawatt-hours (TWh). Meanwhile, low-carbon energy contributes nearly 1.9 TWh, where hydropower plays a prominent role at about 1.64 TWh. This means that a significant portion of Mali's electricity is clean energy, but there is still a heavy reliance on fossil fuels. The electricity consumption per person in Mali stands at approximately 193 kilowatt-hours (kWh), a figure that is starkly lower than the global average of 3813 kWh/person. Such low levels of electricity generation can severely limit economic growth and access to modern amenities, while also hampering the country's ability to improve living standards and foster industrial development.
Is Electricity Growing in Mali?
When examining the changes in electricity consumption in Mali, the data reveals a concerning downward trend. In 2023, the electricity consumption per capita dropped to 193 kWh, a reduction of 7 kWh from the previous year's record of 200 kWh/person. Similarly, the generation of low-carbon electricity saw a decrease, with recent figures at 78 kWh/person compared to the 2016 record of 82 kWh/person. This downward shift in both total and low-carbon electricity generation is worrisome and highlights the need for increased efforts to enhance electricity generation in Mali, particularly from sustainable sources.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Mali can draw lessons from countries that have successfully expanded solar and wind energy. For instance, China and India have made remarkable progress in solar electricity, with China generating 834 TWh and India producing 134 TWh. Similarly, Brazil is an excellent example of effectively harnessing wind energy, generating 108 TWh from this source. Mali could explore partnerships or investments in solar and wind technologies and foster a conducive environment for green energy projects. Given its geographical location with abundant sunshine, there is a significant opportunity for Mali to emulate the solar energy advancements of these nations to increase its share of clean electricity generation.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Mali shows sporadic progress, particularly concerning hydropower. In the early 2000s, hydropower began with modest incremental growth, with significant increases in specific years such as 0.4 TWh in 2010 and 2016. However, fluctuations have occurred, with minimal declines at times, like a drop of 0.1 TWh in 2013 and 2018. Solar energy began to emerge in 2020, contributing 0.1 TWh to Mali's electricity mix. Overall, while there have been some improvements in low-carbon electricity generation over the years, the progress has been uneven, underscoring the need for a more consistent and strategic approach to enhancing low-carbon electricity capacity, particularly through solar energy projects.