Electricity in Mauritania in 2022

In 2022, Mauritania's electricity consumption was entirely reliant on fossil fuels, with 1.19 TWh coming from these sources. This figure accounts for all of the country's electricity generation, as reported. Compared to the global average of 3606 watts per person, Mauritania's electricity consumption is significantly lower, implying potential constraints on the country's socioeconomic development. The low level of electricity generation can hinder economic activities, lower the quality of healthcare and education, and limit access to modern conveniences and communication. Additionally, reliance on fossil fuels not only poses environmental threats such as climate change and pollution but also makes domestic energy consumption expensive due to fluctuating fossil fuel prices.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Mauritania can look towards investing in solar and wind power, resources it has in abundance due to its geographical location. Observing countries like Brazil and India, which have successfully harnessed wind energy, Mauritania can adopt similar strategies to tap into its wind potential. Additionally, the solar success of countries like India and Vietnam offers a blueprint for solar power expansion. Building on these clean energy sources can provide a stable and sustainable electricity supply that mitigates environmental impacts. Furthermore, exploring partnerships with countries that have robust nuclear programs, such as Canada and the United Arab Emirates, could further diversify the energy mix, thereby improving energy security and maintaining sustainable growth.

History

Mauritania's journey towards low-carbon electricity generation has been sporadic, with minimal progress primarily in wind and solar sectors. From 2000 to the early 2010s, the country made no notable strides in hydroelectric power, marking a static era. However, starting in 2015, some efforts were seen with the inception of wind energy generation, which amounted to 0.1 TWh. Solar energy saw a modest start in 2018 with the same amount of generation. Since then, there were no significant advancements in increasing these outputs. This pattern indicates a potential opportunity and necessity to aggressively ramp up efforts to build on their clean energy infrastructure, which is vital for meeting current and future demands sustainably.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources