In 2023, Somalia's electricity consumption remains quite low, with the average person using only around 23 kWh. This is strikingly below the global average of approximately 3,649 kWh per person. The disparity suggests that Somalia's electricity consumption is close to none in terms of its contribution to the world average. Among this consumption, low-carbon sources contribute modestly and account for about 4 kWh per person, while fossil fuels still dominate. The country's low levels of electricity generation restrict access to essential services such as health care, education, and economic activities, hampering any significant socioeconomic growth. Furthermore, reliance on fossil fuels exacerbates the issues of climate change and air pollution, making the transition to clean energy extremely important.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Somalia?
Despite the global trend of increasing electricity usage, Somalia's consumption has actually decreased from historical peaks. The latest figures indicate a decrease in total electricity consumption from the 45 kWh/person recorded in 1993, showing a drop of about 22 kWh over three decades. Although the low-carbon electricity generation holds at 4 kWh/person since 2022 and shows no decline, it has seen no growth either, reflecting a stagnant state in transition toward sustainable energy. These patterns are disappointing, especially when considering the need for electricity to meet future demands and the role of clean energy in combating environmental issues.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Somalia needs to focus on expanding its solar capacity, which is already responsible for a significant share of its existing low-carbon electricity. Learning from countries like India and the United States, which have significant solar generation at 153 TWh and 355 TWh respectively, Somalia can adopt strategies to optimize its solar potential given its ample sunlight. For broader clean energy expansion, Somalia could also consider exploring nuclear energy in a way similar to countries like France and the United States, which produce significant amounts from nuclear sources (371 TWh and 778 TWh respectively). Emulating these regions will help Somalia transition to a more sustainable and economically empowered future.
History
Review of Somalia's low-carbon electricity generation indicates a stagnation for most of the past decade. Since 2016, there have been no notable changes in solar and wind energy contributions yearly. This lack of growth is concerning, especially as the world shifts towards green energy, which brings economic and environmental benefits. The persistent stagnation over these years provides a stark reminder for Somalia to urgently adopt strategies for accelerating its clean energy capacity to address the soaring needs in electricity consumption.
