In 2022, electricity consumption in Mauritania largely depended on fossil fuels and imports. More than half of Mauritania's electricity was generated from fossil sources, specifically 59%, while almost a fifth was imported from outside the country. Meanwhile, low-carbon electricity sources, namely hydropower, solar, and wind, accounted for more than a fifth of the electricity consumed. Hydropower leads the clean energy group, contributing slightly over 10% of the total electricity, followed by solar at about 7%, and wind power, which provided almost 5%. These figures highlight the potential for growth in clean energy adoption since the existing infrastructure does cater to some extent of it, but there is an evident over-reliance on fossil fuels and imports.

Is Electricity Growing in Mauritania?

Electricity consumption per person in Mauritania has been on a growth trajectory, albeit modestly. In 2022, each person used approximately 414 kilowatt-hours of electricity, a small yet notable increase from the 402 kWh/person record set in 2020. However, the progress in low-carbon energy generation per person tells a different story. Unfortunately, the contribution of clean energy per person has experienced a decline, dropping to 92 kWh/person from the previous high of 105 kWh/person in 2019. These contrasting trends warrant attention as increasing overall electricity consumption must be closely aligned with advancements in sustainable electricity generation to ensure energy security and sustainability.

Suggestions

To boost low-carbon electricity further in Mauritania, learning from regions with advanced clean energy initiatives can be pivotal. Considering its abundant sunlight, Mauritania stands to benefit immensely by ramping up solar energy production. With successful examples to look towards, such as California and Yemen both achieving around 31% solar electricity generation, Mauritania can prioritize investments and policies towards solar infrastructure. Moreover, while nuclear energy has not been traditionally explored in Mauritania, adopting nuclear can offer a reliable and sustainable alternative for large-scale electricity needs, as observed in countries like France (67%) and Slovakia (66%) with high nuclear electricity shares. Encouraging investment in these clean energy sectors offers a pathway to reduce carbon emissions while ensuring a green and secure energy future for Mauritania.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Mauritania demonstrates sporadic growth since the turn of the millennium. In the early 2000s, hydropower remained stable until a slight increase in 2009. Solar and wind power had entries in the record books in 2013, though with negligible immediate effects. Incremental extensions were observed in 2015 with wind power and again in solar power by 2018. Alarmingly, 2016 saw a reduction in hydropower generation, highlighting challenges in maintaining progress. More concerted efforts and sustained advancements in recent years are evident, with wind capacity enhanced visibly in 2021. This historical overview underscores the need for consistent focus on expanding low-carbon electricity initiatives to overcome past inconsistencies and set a strong foundation for future growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade