In 2023, fossil fuels supplied almost three-quarters of Senegal’s electricity consumption, including about 6% from coal. Low-carbon sources provided roughly one-fifth: wind contributed about 9%, solar 7%, hydropower 4%, and biofuels 1%. Net imports supplied the remaining 6%; their carbon intensity is not specified. Senegal therefore still relies heavily on fossil electricity, with considerable room to expand clean generation and reduce climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Senegal?

Electricity consumption per person is growing in Senegal. It reached 472 kWh in 2023, up from the previous record of 453 kWh in 2022—an increase of roughly 20 kWh per person, or 4%. That growth is welcome, but low-carbon electricity generation per person slipped from its 2022 record of 99 kWh to 97 kWh in 2023. This modest decline is concerning: clean generation needs to grow faster to support rising electricity demand, electrification, and emerging uses such as AI.

Suggestions

Senegal can build on its existing solar and wind generation while considering nuclear power as a longer-term source of clean electricity. Morocco offers a relevant regional example, generating 20% of its electricity from wind, while sunny Chile generates 24% from solar. These examples support expanding Senegal’s solar installations and suitable wind projects alongside electricity networks and storage. For nuclear development, Senegal could study France, where nuclear supplies about two-thirds of electricity, and the United Arab Emirates, where it supplies one-fifth. International partnerships, workforce training, and strong regulatory institutions would help Senegal assess and prepare an appropriate nuclear pathway.

History

Senegal’s recorded low-carbon electricity growth began with hydropower gains of 0.2 TWh in 2002 and 0.1 TWh in 2003. The listed years thereafter were mostly flat, interrupted by a disappointing 0.1 TWh decline in 2007. Solar brought fresh momentum in the late 2010s, adding 0.1 TWh in 2017 and 0.3 TWh in 2019. Growth broadened in the early 2020s: wind added 0.2 TWh in both 2020 and 2021, followed by 0.3 TWh in 2022, while solar added another 0.2 TWh in 2021 but was unchanged in 2020 and 2022. The listed biofuel observations showed no change. Overall, solar and wind have become the main drivers of Senegal’s recent clean-electricity expansion.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade