Electricity in Mauritania in 2022

In 2022, Mauritania's electricity consumption heavily relied on fossil fuels, which generated approximately 1.19 TWh of electricity. With low-carbon or clean energy sources contributing close to none to the national grid, there is a significant gap in sustainable electricity generation. This reliance on fossil energy poses potential drawbacks such as increased greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, which can negatively affect public health and contribute to climate change. When compared to the global average electricity consumption of 3606 watts per person, Mauritania falls significantly short, which can limit economic growth and the overall quality of life by restricting access to essential services and modern amenities that depend on reliable electricity.

Suggestions

To promote low-carbon electricity generation, Mauritania could focus on increasing wind and solar power installations. Learning from successful strategies in countries with similar resource potentials, such as Brazil, which produced 97 TWh from wind, or India with 125 TWh from solar, could provide valuable insights. These countries have demonstrated the potential of harnessing abundant natural resources to boost their clean energy outputs. Additionally, while Mauritania may not currently have nuclear energy, looking to the example set by nations like South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, which generated 177 TWh and 32 TWh, respectively, through nuclear power, could guide future energy planning. Embracing a diverse mix of low-carbon energy sources, including nuclear, can significantly contribute to long-term energy security and sustainability while reducing dependencies on fossil fuels.

History

Historically, Mauritania's journey towards low-carbon electricity has been gradual yet limited. In the early 2000s, hydroenergy contributed negligibly to the grid with zero TWh increments until a slight increase in 2009. More recently, both wind and solar energy began to play a role with incremental contributions, such as a 0.1 TWh increase from wind in 2015 and from solar in 2018. These small steps highlight a growing interest in clean energy, although the progress remains modest. There is a need for a more robust and committed approach toward expanding clean electricity sources, ensuring that increases are consistent and substantial to align with global low-carbon ambitions effectively.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources