Electricity in Tanzania in 2022

In 2022, Tanzania's electricity consumption included about 6 TWh each from fossil fuels and natural gas, resulting in more than half of the electricity coming from carbon-based sources. The remaining nearly 3 TWh came from low-carbon sources such as hydropower, which contributed approximately 2.8 TWh. This indicates that clean energy makes up almost a third of the total electricity generation in the country. In comparison, the global average electricity consumption is around 3,638 watts per person, whereas Tanzania's per capita consumption is significantly lower than this benchmark. Such low levels of electricity generation may constrain economic development and limit access to essential services like healthcare and education, thus reinforcing the importance of expanding electricity access and generation in Tanzania.

Suggestions

To amplify its low-carbon electricity generation, Tanzania could take lessons from countries like Brazil and India, which have enhanced their use of wind and solar power. Brazil generates over 100 TWh from wind energy, proving that with proper investment and policy support, a significant share of electricity can be sourced from sustainable avenues. Likewise, India has made substantial strides in solar energy, producing 128 TWh, showcasing the potential benefits of adopting solar technology. These examples demonstrate that strategic investments in wind and solar power could bolster Tanzania's clean energy outputs. Furthermore, considering the successful deployment of nuclear energy by countries like South Korea and France, Tanzania could also explore nuclear power as a reliable and efficient clean energy source to meet its electricity demand sustainably.

History

Historically, Tanzania's low-carbon electricity generation has heavily relied on hydropower, though with fluctuations. In the late 1990s, annual changes in hydropower generation varied, featuring minor increases in some years like 1996 and significant dips in others, such as 1997. The early 2000s saw similar volatility until a notable surge in 2007 when hydropower grew by over 1 TWh. Moving into the 2010s and early 2020s, the pattern persisted, with occasional increases like the 0.9 TWh rise in 2014 but also setbacks like a decrease of 0.7 TWh in 2011. These fluctuations underscore the need for diversifying low-carbon energy sources beyond hydropower to provide a more stable and sustainable electricity supply. Embracing additional clean energy options such as solar, wind, and potentially nuclear power could mitigate these variations and foster robust electricity generation in Tanzania.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources