Electricity in Togo in 2023
The current state of electricity consumption in Togo highlights a significant reliance on imported electricity and a limited domestic generation capacity. As of 2023, Togo's per capita electricity consumption stands at around 217 kWh, which is substantially lower than the global average of 3781 kWh per person. This stark difference underscores challenges in Togo's energy sector, including insufficient generation infrastructure and a heavy dependency on electricity imports, accounting for more than 1 TWh of the total consumption. Most of the domestic electricity generation comes from low-carbon sources, yet it's notably limited, leading to potential economic constraints and limiting business growth due to restricted access to reliable electricity. The lack of sufficient low-carbon electricity can hinder sustainable development, education, and healthcare, all of which benefit greatly from more robust and clean power availability.
Is Electricity Growing in Togo?
There is no clear growth in electricity consumption in Togo, as evidenced by comparing the latest data with historical records. Per capita electricity consumption has slightly decreased from a high of 224 kWh in 2014 to 217 kWh in 2023, showing a decline rather than an increase. Similarly, Togo's production of low-carbon electricity, which is mainly from hydro and solar, is also on a downward trend. In 1995, the low-carbon electricity figure was at 58 kWh per person, whereas the latest data shows only 20 kWh per person, demonstrating a decrease of 37 kWh over the years. This stagnation and decline in clean electricity generation raise concerns, as boosting domestic electricity capacity, especially from low-carbon sources, would reduce dependence on imports and foster sustainable development.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Togo can focus on expanding both solar and wind energy capacities, learning from successful examples in other regions. Countries such as India and Brazil have demonstrated significant growth in solar and wind electricity respectively, with India generating 134 TWh of solar power and Brazil achieving 108 TWh of wind power. Togo, with its ample sunshine, can emulate India’s solar initiatives by reinforcing solar infrastructure and encouraging solar investments. Additionally, exploring wind energy opportunities could be beneficial, learning from countries like Brazil and Germany, where wind plays a substantial role in the electricity mix. Furthermore, considering the potential for nuclear energy, as seen in countries like People's Republic of China and France, which generate significant electricity from nuclear power, could provide Togo with a substantial, reliable, and clean energy source to complement its existing hydroelectric resources.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in Togo, the transition has been quite variable, particularly for hydroelectric power which saw minor oscillations from 1990 to 2019. The early 1990s experienced modest growth in hydroelectricity by around 0.1 TWh per year but encountered intermittent declines, reflecting an unstable development trajectory in this sector. Significant declines were noted, leading to reduced capacity until recent years. However, the addition of solar power in 2021 marked a critical and positive shift in expanding clean energy generation. Unlike the fluctuating history of hydroelectric output, the introduction of solar power, albeit minor initially, demonstrates progress towards diversifying the energy mix and focusing on more sustainable options. This change indicates that with targeted investments and policies, there is potential for a more stable expansion of low-carbon energy sources in Togo.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.