As of 2023, Angola's electricity consumption is heavily leaning towards low-carbon sources, with more than three-quarters, about 76%, originating from clean energy. The backbone of this clean electricity generation is hydropower, which alone accounts for nearly 74% of the electricity supply. In contrast, fossil fuels contribute close to 24% of Angola’s electricity, with gas covering a smaller fraction, about 9%. Solar power makes up a modest portion of the clean electricity, at approximately 2%. This impressive reliance on clean electricity is a commendable effort towards reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change. However, further diversification in low-carbon sources could enhance this beneficial trend.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Angola?
Despite Angola's substantial investment in low-carbon electricity, overall electricity consumption per person has slightly declined. The current consumption is 488 kWh per person, a small drop from the previous peak of 503 kWh per person in 2020. This represents a decrease of 14 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity usage per person also saw a minor reduction to 373 kWh from a high of 380 kWh in 2020, down by 7 kWh per person. This stagnation is concerning and suggests that Angola must prioritize initiatives to boost electricity generation and consumption. More electricity, particularly from low-carbon sources, is crucial for fostering economic growth and supporting electrification efforts across the country.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Angola can learn from the successes seen in various global regions. Nuclear energy has proven efficient in countries like France and Slovakia, where it accounts for over 65% of electricity generation. Adopting nuclear power could be a transformative move for Angola. Additionally, solar energy can also be a strong contender, as seen in regions like Nevada and Lebanon, where it contributes significantly to the electricity mix. By investing in solar photovoltaic systems and exploring options for nuclear energy, Angola can ramp up its low-carbon electricity output rapidly, ensuring that it remains on track to support future electric demand and significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Angola has relied heavily on hydropower, seeing fluctuations in growth over the decades. In the early 2000s, Angola saw modest increases in hydroelectricity generation, with the most noteworthy growth occurring in the late 2010s. Particularly significant gains were made in 2017 and 2019, bringing about remarkable expansion in hydropower capacity. Recently, in 2022, Angola ventured into solar energy with a modest increase in generation. Though hydropower has served as the mainstay of Angola's green energy strategy for decades, integrating more solar and potentially nuclear could create a more balanced and sustainable electricity portfolio. Continuing this trend of infrastructure improvement is essential for ensuring a resilient and diversified electricity supply.
