In 2022, electricity generation in Sub-Saharan Africa was dominated by fossil fuels, which contributed more than 60% of the total. A substantial portion of this relies heavily on coal, making up over 40% of the fossil energy share. Low-carbon electricity sources, which include nuclear, hydropower, solar, wind, and geothermal, accounted for close to 38% of the electricity generation in the region. Hydropower stood out as the largest contributor to low-carbon electricity, providing nearly 29%. Other low-carbon sources included solar and wind, collectively contributing a modest amount of around 6%, while nuclear energy provided just under 2%. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels presents challenges in terms of air pollution and climate change, emphasizing the need for a shift towards cleaner energy alternatives.
Is Electricity Growing in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Despite an urgent need for more electricity to fuel development, Sub-Saharan Africa has seen a decline in total electricity consumption over the past decade. In 2022, the region's electricity consumption per person stood at 418 kWh, a decrease from the previous peak of 450 kWh per person recorded in 2012. This stagnation is concerning given the broader global trend towards electrification and the heightened role of electricity in economic growth and sustainability, especially with the rise of digital and AI technologies. However, there was a noticeable but small improvement in low-carbon electricity generation, which rose to 158 kWh per person, up from 152 kWh per person in 2021. This improvement hints at the growing role that clean electricity could play in the region's energy future.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Sub-Saharan Africa could learn from regions that have successfully integrated solar, wind, and nuclear power into their energy mix. For example, Denmark showcases the potential of wind energy, with wind power accounting for 60% of its electricity generation. Similarly, for solar power, regions like California and Lebanon, where solar energy makes up about a third of their electricity generation, provide valuable models. On the nuclear front, France and Slovakia are notable with nuclear generating over 65% of their electricity. By building the necessary infrastructure and fostering investments in these technologies, Sub-Saharan Africa could significantly bolster its clean energy capacity, which would support economic growth and sustainable development in the region.
History
Tracing back through the history of low-carbon electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa reveals a series of fluctuating advancements especially in hydropower and nuclear energy. In the last decade, hydropower has consistently grown, as seen in significant increments throughout the years—for example, an addition of more than 8 TWh in 2022. On the nuclear side, however, there have been concerning setbacks, especially with notable declines in 2018 and 2020, which should be critically addressed to enable a stable and reliable energy supply. Wind power also experienced a promising rise, especially in 2021, revealing its potential as part of a diversified low-carbon strategy. Encouragingly, solar power has also seen a continuous uptrend, particularly over the last few years. Despite the setbacks, the overall trajectory highlights a growing but uneven embrace of these critical low-carbon technologies, pointing to a need for consistent policy and investment support to achieve a sustainable energy future.
