Electricity in Mauritania in 2022

Mauritania's electricity consumption in 2022 largely depended on fossil fuels, which accounted for 1.19 TWh of the total electricity generation. Close to none of the electricity consumed came from low-carbon energy sources, illustrating a significant reliance on non-sustainable fossil energy. Given the country's population and the overall electricity use, this translates into much lower per capita electricity consumption compared to the global average of 432 watts per person. Low levels of electricity generation can have profound implications, including limited access to modern conveniences, constrained economic development, and insufficient healthcare services.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Mauritania can learn from other countries that have successfully harnessed clean energy. For wind energy, Mauritania might look to Brazil, which generated 96 TWh from wind, and India, which produced 82 TWh. Both countries have similar economic and environmental conditions and can serve as practical examples. For solar energy, India again serves as an excellent model with its 113 TWh generation, alongside Japan's 97 TWh and Vietnam's 25 TWh. Additionally, incorporating nuclear energy could provide consistent and reliable power. Nations like France (336 TWh) and South Korea (180 TWh) showcase how robust nuclear infrastructure can significantly contribute to low-carbon power generation.

History

Historically, Mauritania's progress in developing low-carbon electricity has been gradual and limited. In the early 2000s, hydroelectric projects showed no significant growth, achieving a minor increase only in 2009 with an addition of 0.1 TWh. Following this, Mauritania ventured into wind power in 2015 with a modest 0.1 TWh contribution. Solar energy began to make an impact by 2018, also contributing 0.1 TWh. Despite these small increments, the overall growth in low-carbon electricity generation has been relatively stagnant, especially over the last decade, when consistent output from wind power ceased after 2015 and hydroelectric stagnation continued. This underscores the critical need for a strategic and robust development plan to upscale the use of clean energy sources.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources