In Sub-Saharan Africa, electricity consumption in 2022 reveals a high reliance on fossil fuels, with fossil energy sources constituting over 60% of the electricity mix. Specifically, coal and gas contribute significantly, accounting for about half of the electricity generated, with coal alone making up more than 40%. On the other hand, low-carbon energy represents almost 38% of electricity generation. Within this category, hydropower is the primary contributor to clean energy, supplying almost 29% of the electricity. Other clean sources include solar and wind, contributing roughly 3% and 2.5%, respectively, while nuclear and geothermal energy provide smaller shares. The current electricity landscape reflects a critical need for more sustainable energy sources to phase out fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and air pollution.
View data sources used on this page →
Is Electricity Growing in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Examining electricity consumption trends in Sub-Saharan Africa shows concerns about stagnation. In 2022, electricity consumption was recorded at 418 kWh per person, a decrease from the 450 kWh per person recorded in 2012. This decline of 32 kWh per person over a decade highlights a challenge in expanding electricity access and consumption. However, on a more positive note, low-carbon electricity generation displayed a slight growth, reaching 159 kWh per person from the previous high of 152 kWh per person in 2021, marking an increase of 7 kWh per person. It's evident that while low-carbon electricity is experiencing some progress, overall electricity availability must increase to meet the growing demand and facilitate economic growth.
Suggestions
Sub-Saharan Africa can enhance its low-carbon electricity generation by learning from regions excelling in clean energy adoption. For instance, countries like France and Slovakia have successfully achieved over half of their electricity from nuclear power, indicating the potential for nuclear energy to provide a stable and substantial proportion of low-carbon energy. Wind and solar energy also demonstrate significant promise, with Iowa and Denmark generating about 60% and 58% of their electricity from wind, respectively. Solar energy is not left behind as well, with Nevada and Lebanon generating almost a third of their electricity from solar power. Sub-Saharan Africa, with its abundant sunlight and available land for wind turbines, should invest in expanding solar and wind infrastructure while considering nuclear energy's role in delivering a steady and reliable power supply.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa shows fluctuations, with significant progress in hydropower and solar energy in recent years. From the early 2010s, hydropower experienced consistent growth, reaching a peak increase of 8.2 TWh in 2022. Solar energy has also seen notable enhancements, with an increase of 5.6 TWh in 2022. Conversely, nuclear energy faced setbacks, particularly in 2018 and 2020, with declines of 2.6 TWh and 3.3 TWh respectively, yet demonstrated potential for recovery in 2021. Overall, while the region has seen positive strides in expanding clean energy, the inconsistency in nuclear energy's contribution is concerning. A more focused and strategic effort in boosting solar and nuclear energy could significantly increase the share of low-carbon electricity, helping to phase out fossil fuels and mitigate their adverse environmental impacts.
