In 2022, Mauritania's electricity consumption was primarily reliant on fossil fuels, accounting for almost 59% of the energy mix. Low-carbon sources, which are crucial for sustainable and environmentally-friendly energy, made up more than 22% of the country's electricity generation. Among these green sources, hydropower contributed slightly over 10%, solar energy provided almost 7%, and wind energy delivered close to 5%. The remainder of the country's electricity needs, accounting for almost 19%, was met through net imports, indicating a significant reliance on external energy sources. The significant share of fossil fuels in the energy mix underscores the pressing need for expanding clean energy generation to address environmental concerns and reduce carbon emissions.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Mauritania?
Mauritania's electricity growth trend appears concerning as the recent data shows a decline. In 2022, electricity consumption was at 414 kWh per person, a decrease from the previous record of 439 kWh per person set in 2020. This reduction of 25 kWh per person reflects a worrying stagnation in energy usage per capita. Additionally, low-carbon electricity generation has also seen a decline, with the latest numbers standing at 92 kWh per person, down by 20 kWh per person from the 2019 peak of 112 kWh per person. These figures indicate that both overall and low-carbon electricity growth have not kept pace, which could put long-term sustainability and development goals at risk.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Mauritania can draw inspiration from several regions with successful clean energy initiatives. For solar energy, regions like Nevada in the United States and Lebanon have achieved significant shares of their electricity from solar, with 30% and 31% respectively, demonstrating the potential for solar expansion. Wind energy offers another promising avenue, as evidenced by countries like Denmark and Uruguay, with wind accounting for 49% and 34% of their electricity, respectively. Although nuclear energy is not currently in use in Mauritania, successful examples from France and Slovakia, where nuclear powers a substantial portion of electricity, showcase the potential benefits of pursuing nuclear projects. Adopting a diverse approach by expanding solar and potentially incorporating wind and nuclear energy could help Mauritania significantly boost its clean energy share.
History
Historically, Mauritania's low-carbon electricity generation has seen modest growth, primarily from hydropower and more recently, solar and wind energy. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, hydropower was the primary source of low-carbon electricity, with slight increases in 2009 and 2013. Wind energy made its entry in 2015, marking a notable expansion in Mauritania's electricity profile. Solar energy began contributing to electricity generation in 2018, complementing the existing sources. While these developments have been positive, the country has not yet experienced substantial growth or diversification in its low-carbon electricity portfolio, which further underscores the need for an accelerated adoption of solar, wind, and potentially nuclear energy to enhance energy security and sustainability.
