In 2009, Western Sahara's electricity consumption was noticeably lower than the global average, at just a fraction of the 3638 watts per person worldwide. This low level of electricity generation hinders economic growth, limits access to modern amenities, and restricts improvements in quality of life. The majority of the electricity in Western Sahara is derived from fossil energy sources, contributing to unsustainable environmental impacts such as climate change and air pollution. Compared to the rest of the world, Western Sahara's reliance on low-carbon energy is close to none, highlighting a significant gap in the adoption of cleaner, more sustainable electricity generation options like nuclear, wind, and solar power.
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Western Sahara could look towards nations that have successfully integrated wind and solar technologies, akin to its environmental conditions. The People's Republic of China and India provide excellent case studies, with China generating a substantial amount of its electricity from wind and solar power and India showing a balanced growth in both sectors. Implementing an infrastructure that supports wind farms and solar arrays can greatly uplift Western Sahara's electricity grid. Moreover, considering the potential for nuclear energy, Western Sahara can draw inspiration from countries like the United States and France, where nuclear power plays a significant role in their clean energy strategy, providing steady and substantial electricity output.
Western Sahara's history of low-carbon electricity generation is sparse, reflecting minimal to no growth in past decades. The region has not shown significant strides in developing nuclear, wind, or solar energy based on available data. Prioritizing the establishment of wind turbines and solar panels could enable Western Sahara to begin transforming its electricity landscape, similar to the advancements seen in countries like Spain and Portugal with wind energy. Emphasizing clean energy production would enhance the region's capacity to reduce its carbon footprint while providing a sustainable future for its population.