In 2023, Senegal depended on fossil fuels for almost three-quarters of its electricity consumption, including about 6% from coal. Low-carbon sources supplied roughly one-fifth: wind contributed about 9%, solar 7%, hydropower 4%, and biofuels 1%. Net imports accounted for the remaining 6%, with their source mix unspecified. Senegal therefore has a growing clean electricity foundation, but fossil fuels still dominate, contributing to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Senegal?

Electricity consumption per person is growing in Senegal: it reached 472 kWh in 2023, surpassing the previous record of 453 kWh in 2022 by roughly 20 kWh, or about 4%. This is encouraging progress toward supplying more electricity for households, businesses, and future electrification. However, low-carbon electricity generation per person slipped from its 2022 record of 99 kWh to 97 kWh in 2023. That small decline is concerning: clean electricity needs to grow alongside total consumption, rather than fall behind rising demand.

Suggestions

Senegal can increase low-carbon electricity generation by accelerating solar deployment, expanding wind generation, and considering nuclear electricity as a longer-term source of dependable clean supply. Morocco offers a relevant regional wind example, generating one-fifth of its electricity from wind, while sunny places such as Pakistan and Chile each generate about a quarter from solar. The US state of Nevada demonstrates even greater solar penetration, at roughly one-third. For nuclear, Senegal can study France, where it supplies about two-thirds of electricity, and the United Arab Emirates, where it supplies one-fifth. These examples offer lessons in project delivery, workforce development, and electricity-system planning, alongside the grid investment needed to support Senegal’s growing demand.

History

Senegal’s recorded low-carbon electricity gains began with hydropower increases of 0.2 TWh in 2002 and 0.1 TWh in 2003, followed by several unchanged years and a 0.1 TWh decline in 2007. The listed hydropower and biofuel figures show little subsequent movement. Solar brought renewed 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, then 0.3 TWh in 2022, while solar added another 0.2 TWh in 2021 but showed no increase in 2020 or 2022. These gains demonstrate real progress, and sustaining faster clean electricity expansion should now be a priority.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade