In 2023, Senegal's electricity consumption showcases a significant reliance on fossil energy, with approximately three-quarters of the electricity derived from such sources. Low-carbon energy contributes to a little more than a fifth of the country's electricity consumption, illustrating some movement towards cleaner energy sources. Among low-carbon sources, wind energy provides nearly a tenth and solar accounts for almost 7%, while hydropower and biofuels collectively make up around 5%. Net imports and coal play smaller roles in Senegal’s electricity mix and are included under fossil energy or fossil-based imports. This heavy dependency on fossil fuels highlights the urgent need for Senegal to transition towards cleaner energy solutions to combat climate change and reduce air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Senegal?
The recent data suggests that Senegal is experiencing a modest growth in electricity consumption. The total electricity consumption has risen to 472 kWh per person from the previous record of 453 kWh per person in 2022. This evidences a growth reflecting an increased appetite for electric power. However, when diving deeper into low-carbon electricity generation, the numbers reveal a slight decline, decreasing to 97 kWh per person from 99 kWh per person in 2022. This negative shift in low-carbon production is concerning when considering the urgency to expand clean electricity to cater to growing consumption needs, driving the momentum for cleaner and sustainable power sources.
Suggestions
To accelerate the growth of low-carbon electricity generation in Senegal, learning from successful regions would be advantageous. Countries like Lebanon and Nevada demonstrate the potential of solar energy, generating over 20% of their electricity from this abundant resource. Additionally, Denmark and Iowa showcase the profitable integration of wind energy, with figures surpassing 50%. Furthermore, nuclear energy presents itself as a reliable, high-output green energy source, with countries such as France obtaining more than two-thirds of their electricity from nuclear power. By investing in solar and exploring nuclear energy options, Senegal can effectively pivot towards enhancing its low-carbon electricity generation capabilities, ensuring a greener, more sustainable future.
History
Looking back, Senegal's journey towards low-carbon electricity began in the early 2000s, with modest contributions from hydropower reaching increments such as 0.2 TWh in 2002. However, as the years progressed, minimal advancement was noticeable until 2016, when solar energy started gaining momentum. Between 2017 and 2019, solar electricity generation witnessed gradual increases, while wind energy saw growth from 2020 onwards. Notable strides in wind energy occurred between 2020 and 2022, registering consecutive yearly increases. Overall, Senegal’s low-carbon electricity history highlights a promising yet slow-paced advancement, underlining the need for augmented and robust investments to expedite the transition towards clean electricity.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.