Electricity in Seychelles in 2022

In 2022, Seychelles' electricity consumption was primarily dependent on fossil fuels, with more than 85% of its electricity coming from such sources. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels is a significant contributor to environmental concerns such as climate change and air pollution. On the cleaner side of the energy spectrum, Seychelles managed to generate almost 15% of its electricity from low-carbon sources. Solar power made a considerable contribution, accounting for approximately 13% of the country's electricity, while wind energy provided a modest 1.6%. The current state reflects a clear opportunity and necessity for Seychelles to expand its clean energy production.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Seychelles should focus on scaling up solar energy capacities, as it is already playing a significant role in the nation's energy mix. Learning from other countries that have successfully integrated low-carbon energy can provide valuable insights. For example, Denmark, a country with a geographic profile somewhat similar to Seychelles, has successfully harnessed wind energy to generate almost 60% of its electricity. Uruguay also stands out, with wind contributing 36% of its energy mix, a noteworthy achievement for a smaller nation. Seychelles can take inspiration from these examples to not only expand photovoltaic solar initiatives but also explore the potential for offshore or coastal wind energy projects.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Seychelles began in earnest in the 2010s, with wind energy making its continuous albeit small contribution. From 2013 to 2018, wind energy maintained a stable presence, although without growth. Solar power entered the stage in 2019 and similarly showed no numerical increase in generation through to 2022. While wind and solar have together contributed an increasing share of total electricity generation, there remains significant room to grow these low-carbon sectors to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and to increase the nation's resilience to global fuel price fluctuations and environmental pressures. Seychelles stands at the cusp of a substantial green energy transition if these sectors are further invested in and developed.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources