Electricity in Seychelles in 2023
In 2023, the electricity consumption in Seychelles predominantly relies on fossil fuels, with more than 85% of its electricity generation coming from these sources. On the other hand, low-carbon energy accounts for approximately 14% of the total electricity generation. Within the low-carbon segment, solar energy contributes to almost 13% and wind energy adds a modest 2%. This current reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation is concerning due to the associated environmental impacts such as climate change and air pollution. The efforts to increase the share of clean energy like solar and wind, although noticeable, highlight a need for further expansion to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Seychelles?
In terms of electricity consumption, there is a slight decrease observed in Seychelles. The total electricity consumption per person in 2023 stands at 4925 kWh, slightly below the historic peak of 4941 kWh in 2022, marking a small decline of 16 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per person has decreased from 717 kWh in 2022 to 704 kWh in 2023, a decline of 14 kWh per person. Such declines may reflect stagnation in transitioning to a more sustainable and low-carbon electricity grid. It is imperative for Seychelles to reverse this trend and aim for growth in both overall and green electricity generation to meet future demand needs, including those driven by electrification and technological advances like AI.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Seychelles could focus on expanding its existing solar capabilities. The demonstrated potential of solar energy is evident in other regions, such as California, where solar accounts for 31% of the electricity mix. Learning from regions heavily investing in low-carbon energy sources, such as South Dakota and Iowa that generate more than half of their electricity from wind, could also benefit Seychelles. Additionally, assessing the feasibility of introducing nuclear energy, which has proven highly efficient in countries like France with 67% of its electricity derived from nuclear, could provide a significant boost to Seychelles’ clean electricity portfolio. By tapping into such technologies, Seychelles can pave the way toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
History
Historically, Seychelles' journey with low-carbon electricity began with wind energy from 2013 onward. Despite the continuity in wind generation, there’s been no recorded growth in electricity generation from wind over the past decade, including 2023. Similarly, solar energy, which started contributing in 2019, has also seen stagnation without any recorded increase through 2023. This lack of growth is concerning, indicating that despite having favorable conditions for low-carbon energy, Seychelles has yet to capitalize fully on its clean electricity generation potential. The prolonged stagnation underscores the need for urgent action to scale up efforts and integrate more low-carbon technologies within the country's electricity system.
