In 2023, Somalia's state of electricity consumption is notably low, with the average Somalian using around 23 kWh/person, which is dramatically below the global average of approximately 3412 kWh/person. This figure reflects a dire need for increased electricity availability within the country. Currently, Somalia's clean electricity generation, which includes solar and wind power, accounts for about 4 kWh/person, implying that the overwhelming majority comes from fossil fuels. Such heavy reliance on fossil energy not only exacerbates climate change and air pollution but also underscores a missed opportunity in enhancing energy security and delivering socio-economic benefits through sustainable, low-carbon energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Somalia?
Despite the urgent need for improvement, electricity consumption in Somalia appears to be on a downward trend. The latest data reflects a decrease of 22 kWh/person from its 1993 peak of 45 kWh/person, marking a significant energy consumption reduction over the past three decades. Moreover, the stagnation in the development of clean energy is evident, with no growth in solar or wind electricity generation from last year; clean energy levels remain unchanged from their previous record in 2022. This stagnation is worrying and highlights an urgent need for the country to reconsider its energy strategy by prioritizing the expansion of low-carbon electricity infrastructure.
Suggestions
To address the electricity challenges, Somalia could focus on expanding solar energy infrastructure, which has shown great potential worldwide, particularly in regions with high solar irradiance. Countries like India and regions like Texas have successfully harnessed solar power, generating substantial amounts of electricity from this clean source. Additionally, considering nuclear energy can offer Somalia a stable and scaling option for clean electricity generation, evident from the achievements in the United States and France. By learning from these regions, Somalia can establish a more reliable electricity system, ensuring a greener, more sustainable energy future for its population.
History
Over the past several years, electricity generation from low-carbon sources like solar and wind in Somalia has been stagnant. Since 2016, there has been no measurable increase in low-carbon electricity capacity; every year through 2023 reported zero change in generation from these green energy sources. This long-standing stagnation in adopting clean energy is disappointing, signaling missed opportunities, particularly in harnessing solar energy, given Somalia's conducive climate. In periods where global electricity consumption is increasingly shifting towards sustainable solutions, Somalia must ramp up its commitment to expanding its low-carbon electricity infrastructure, particularly in solar and, potentially, nuclear sectors.
