In 2023, Seychelles relied on fossil fuels for about 86% of its electricity consumption, while low-carbon sources supplied roughly 14%, or one-seventh. Solar provided nearly 13% of electricity, making it the country’s main clean electricity source, while wind contributed about 2%. This leaves considerable room to expand clean electricity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Seychelles?

Electricity consumption per person did not grow in 2023: it reached 4,925 kWh, slightly below the 2022 record of 4,941 kWh—a decline of just 16 kWh per person. Low-carbon electricity generation also slipped, from a record 717 kWh per person in 2022 to 704 kWh in 2023, a decrease of approximately 14 kWh using the supplied change figure. Although these declines were small, the loss of momentum is concerning: Seychelles needs growing clean electricity supplies to support electrification and future demand, including from AI.

Suggestions

Seychelles should build on its existing solar contribution by expanding rooftop and other suitably located solar installations. Relevant island examples include Cyprus and the US state of Hawaii, where solar supplies about 23% of electricity—almost twice Seychelles’ share. Cape Verde, another island nation, generates about 14% of its electricity from wind, offering useful lessons for expanding Seychelles’ wind contribution. Nuclear should also be considered as a potential longer-term clean electricity option, with technology choices assessed for Seychelles’ grid size. France, where nuclear supplies about two-thirds of electricity, and the United Arab Emirates, where it supplies one-fifth, demonstrate nuclear’s ability to provide substantial low-carbon generation.

History

The supplied historical figures show no reported year-to-year change in wind electricity generation from 2013 through 2018. Solar likewise shows no reported change from 2019 through 2023, while the listed wind figures for 2020 through 2023 also remain unchanged. These changes are all recorded as zero TWh, but that reporting precision may conceal smaller increases or decreases; it does not mean that solar and wind produced no electricity. Overall, the series shows no measurable expansion at the stated precision, highlighting the importance of accelerating clean electricity growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade