In 2023, Senegal's electricity consumption is predominantly driven by fossil fuels, comprising almost three-quarters of the total. Specifically, fossil energy accounts for approximately 74% of the electricity supply, highlighting a strong dependency on sources like coal, which alone supplies about 6%. Meanwhile, low-carbon energy, which includes sources like wind, solar, and hydro, represents about 20% of the electricity mix. Among these clean sources, wind contributes close to 9% and solar adds approximately 7%, both playing crucial roles in diversifying the country's energy portfolio. Senegal also imports around 6% of its electricity, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the energy landscape.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Senegal?
Electricity consumption in Senegal has shown modest growth. For 2023, each person consumes about 472 kWh, which marks a slight increase from the previous year, indicating growth, albeit small. The increase from 453 kWh in 2022 to the current level shows the potential for further expansion. However, the generation of low-carbon electricity reveals a slight decline, with production dropping to 97 kWh per person from a previous record of 99 kWh. This decrease signifies a challenge Senegal faces in its transition to cleaner electricity sources, indicating an urgent need to focus on expanding low-carbon capacities.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Senegal can draw lessons from regions successfully harnessing solar and nuclear energy. Solar energy can be especially transformative, as demonstrated by countries like Lebanon and Chile, where solar accounts for over 20% of electricity. Furthermore, given the global drive towards nuclear energy due to its efficiency and low emissions, Senegal could look to countries such as France and Ukraine, where nuclear power constitutes a significant chunk of their energy mix. By investing in solar and nuclear facilities, Senegal can significantly boost its clean electricity generation, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and contribute to combatting climate change.
History
Historically, Senegal's journey toward low-carbon electricity generation has been gradual. In the early 2000s, hydropower experienced modest changes, with slight increases up until 2003, followed by a period of stagnation and minor declines afterward. Biofuels showed no significant change during this period. Notably, the 2010s saw a more diverse low-carbon landscape with the introduction and growth of solar and wind energy. In 2017, solar began to make its mark, followed by considerable increases in both wind and solar from 2020 onwards, reflecting a positive trend towards cleaner energy. However, the historic lack of an ambitious shift towards nuclear energy is a missed opportunity that Senegal could rectify by considering its potential benefits. These developments demonstrate Senegal's commitment to low-carbon energy, albeit with room for expansion and optimization.
