Electricity in Niger in 2023
In 2023, Niger's electricity consumption is extremely low, with an individual consumption rate of about 77 kWh per person, which is a small fraction of the global average of 3781 kWh per person. The low levels of electricity generation are mainly reliant on net imports, which account for over 1 TWh of the total consumption. Low-carbon energy generation in Niger contributes close to none of the total electricity, at just 1 kWh per person. The dependency on fossil fuels means significant contributions to climate change and air pollution, which can impact public health and environmental stability. The limited electricity generation restricts economic development, industrial growth, and the quality of life for the populace as it imposes significant constraints on daily activities, healthcare, and education.
Is Electricity Growing in Niger?
There has been no growth in electricity consumption in Niger between 2022 and 2023, as the per-person consumption rate remains stagnant at 77 kWh. Likewise, the contribution from low-carbon electricity generation remains unchanged since 2019, at a minimal 1 kWh per person. This stagnation in progress is a cause for concern as it poses challenges to meeting future energy demands associated with economic development and advancements in technology. It indicates a pressing need for innovative solutions and substantial investment to increase electricity generation capacity, especially from green resources.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Niger can learn from successful regions utilizing solar and wind energy. The People's Republic of China and the United States lead substantially in generating electricity from solar, at over 1000 TWh, and nuclear and wind resources. France is a notable example for its significant electricity generation from nuclear energy. Niger's geographic conditions are favorable for solar energy production, much like regions such as India and Brazil, which also emphasize solar technology in their energy mix. By observing these regions, Niger can adopt solar power as a transformative step towards sustainable energy generation, while also considering long-term investments in nuclear power to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Niger, particularly solar energy, shows a stagnant trend over the decades, indicating a lack of development. From 2005 to 2023, solar electricity generation has seen no increase, remaining at a flat line each year. This lack of progress over nearly two decades is concerning and points towards missed opportunities in leveraging Niger’s potential for solar electricity. Significant changes are necessary to overcome these historical shortcomings and to contribute meaningfully to global efforts toward decarbonization. Niger's potential to harness solar energy needs to be unlocked with adequate policy support, investment in technology, and international collaboration to foster a green energy transformation.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.