In 2022, electricity consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa painted a complex picture, with over half of the electricity being generated from fossil fuels. Coal alone contributed to approximately 40% of the region's electricity, with gas adding just over 14%. On the brighter side, more than a third of electricity was sourced from low-carbon or clean energy. Hydropower was notably the most significant among these clean sources, making up almost 29% of electricity generation. Meanwhile, wind and solar provided a small yet growing portion, contributing about 3% each, while nuclear power accounted for a similar 2%. Geothermal and biofuels combined contributed a little over 1.5%. The overall reliance on fossil fuels highlights the challenge Sub-Saharan Africa faces in transitioning to a more sustainable energy future.
Is Electricity Growing in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Despite these facets of energy generation, electricity consumption appears to be stagnant in Sub-Saharan Africa. The total electricity consumption per person in 2022 was at 0 kWh, unchanged when compared to 2012. This stagnation is reflected across both total and low-carbon electricity consumption, with no new increases recorded over the past decade. Such a stagnation in growth could hinder the region's potential for development, as access to and the use of electricity is integral to numerous facets of modern life such as education, healthcare, and industrial expansion. The absence of growth in low-carbon electricity is also worrisome, given the urgent need globally to combat climate change by reducing fossil fuel usage with cleaner alternatives.
Suggestions
To diversify and increase low-carbon electricity generation, Sub-Saharan Africa can look to successful regions for guidance. Countries like Lebanon and Cyprus have made impressive advancements in solar energy, with around 31% and 19% of their electricity respectively coming from solar. In terms of nuclear power, countries such as France highlight the potential of nuclear by generating nearly 68% of its electricity from this clean source. Iowa and South Dakota also serve as excellent examples with more than half of their electricity coming from wind. By investing in solar and nuclear technologies, Sub-Saharan Africa could significantly increase its low-carbon electricity production, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and promoting economic growth.
History
Over the last decade, low-carbon electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a mixture of growth spurts and challenges. The early 2010s saw gradual growth, with notable increases in hydropower in 2013 and 2014. Wind power began to contribute more substantively by 2015, alongside the emergence of solar. Though nuclear generation saw some positive additions, its growth was sporadic. Unfortunately, this progress was overshadowed by several significant declines in nuclear power from 2018 onward, presenting a perplexing setback. The subsequent years showed resilience as hydropower steadily increased, complemented by moderate growth in wind and solar. Despite these challenges, the accumulated data reflects both the struggles and the sector's resilience, demonstrating a promising foundation to build upon for the future.