Senegal's current state of electricity consumption is primarily dominated by fossil fuels, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the total electricity mix, around 74%. Clean energy sources, including solar, wind, and hydropower, together make up about 20% of the electricity generation, with wind leading at almost 9%, solar contributing nearly 7%, and hydropower a smaller share at close to 4%. Contributions from biofuels remain minimal. Net imports fulfill about 6% of the electricity needs, while coal accounts for a small fraction, just over 5%. Thus, there is a significant opportunity to shift this balance towards more sustainable low-carbon energy sources, which can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thus mitigating climate change, reducing air pollution, and creating a more stable and resilient energy supply.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Senegal?
Electricity consumption in Senegal shows a promising uptick, signaling economic growth and an increasing electrification rate. Recent data indicates that per-capita consumption rose to 472 kWh in 2023, marking a growth of almost 20 kWh per person since 2022, which is a positive development. However, low-carbon electricity generation per person saw a slight dip from the previous year, dropping by 2 kWh to 97 kWh. While the overall electricity growth is a positive trend, the decline in low-carbon electricity generation is concerning and underlines the need for strategic investments and policy support to bolster clean energy capacity, ensuring sustainable growth in the coming years.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Senegal could look to regions that have successfully achieved a significant share of clean energy. Denmark and Iowa, for instance, have harnessed wind power effectively, achieving around 60% and 58%, respectively. To boost solar energy, Senegal could study countries like North Macedonia and Lebanon, which see nearly 49% and 31% of their electricity generated from solar power. For nuclear, which offers a reliable and carbon-free electricity source, regions like France and Illinois, achieving around 67% and 50% from nuclear power, highlight the potential of this technology. By learning from these examples, Senegal can diversify its energy portfolio, focusing on scaling up solar and possibly introducing nuclear energy to significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase energy security.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Senegal reveals periodic advancements, particularly in the last decade, with solar and wind energy gaining traction. In the early 2000s, incremental growth in hydropower was noted, but it saw a decline by 2007. Solar energy began to make significant strides from 2017 onwards, with notable increases in 2019 and subsequent years, reflecting increased investment and deployment in this sector. Wind energy also saw growth, especially in 2020 and 2021. These developments underscore an encouraging trend towards increasing clean energy contributions, although the rate of adoption could be accelerated further to secure a cleaner energy future for Senegal. Investing in advanced technologies and leveraging global best practices will be essential to overcoming past stagnation and ensuring rapid expansion in this sector.
