In 2022, the electricity consumption in Mauritania was mainly driven by fossil fuels, which made up about 59% of the total electricity generation. Meanwhile, low-carbon sources contributed over a fifth of the total, with hydropower, solar, and wind accounting for around 10%, 7%, and 5%, respectively. Additionally, nearly 19% of the electricity was imported, underscoring the country's reliance on external sources to meet demand. The current state of electricity generation highlights a need for continued development of domestic clean energy sources to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and foreign imports, maintaining focus on the benefits such as reduced emissions and increased energy security.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Mauritania?
Electricity consumption in Mauritania is on a gradual incline, reflected by the increase from 402 kWh per person in 2020 to 414 kWh per person in 2022. This growth of 12 kWh per person suggests a slow yet consistent uptake in electricity usage. However, it's concerning to see a slight decline in low-carbon electricity generation, which decreased from its peak of 105 kWh per person in 2019 to 92 kWh per person in 2022. Such a decrease of 13 kWh per person signals a need for policies that prioritize the expansion of clean energy infrastructure to ensure sustainable growth in electricity usage that aligns with reducing carbon emissions.
Suggestions
To foster an increase in low-carbon electricity generation, Mauritania can learn from regions that have successfully harnessed solar and nuclear energy. Countries like North Macedonia have achieved nearly half of their electricity from solar energy, providing a model for Mauritania to increase its solar capacity. Meanwhile, France's extensive nuclear energy program shows the potential for nuclear to supply a significant portion of electricity reliably and cleanly. By investing in and adopting best practices from these regions, Mauritania can accelerate its shift towards low-carbon energy sources, thus diminishing its reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing sustainable development.
History
Historical data on Mauritania's low-carbon electricity journey shows a gradual start, especially in the realm of solar and wind. Beginning in the late 2000s and into the 2010s, there were incremental developments, such as a 0.1 TWh increase in wind energy in 2015 and solar energy entering the mix with a 0.1 TWh rise in 2018. However, hydroelectricity saw a slight dip in 2016. Despite these moderate advancements, the path towards more modern and robust clean energy infrastructure has been slow. This pace highlights the importance of more aggressive investment and development in low-carbon technologies going forward to achieve a more sustainable and autonomous energy future for the country.
