In 2023, Tanzania's electricity consumption stands at approximately 19.1 TWh, with fossil fuels, specifically gas, making up a substantial portion of this total at almost 8.2 TWh. Low-carbon sources account for significantly less, at 2.8 TWh, with hydropower representing almost all of this clean electricity. Unfortunately, the majority of the electricity generation still leans on fossil fuels, contributing to environmental concerns such as climate change and air pollution. Tanzania's electricity consumption per person is about 167 kWh, dramatically below the global average of 3771 kWh per person. This stark disparity suggests that many Tanzanians lack access to reliable electricity, which can hamper economic growth and hinder improvements in the quality of life.
Is Electricity Growing in Tanzania?
Tanzania has seen a recent increase in overall electricity consumption per person, rising from 151 kWh in 2022 to 167 kWh in 2023, marking an improvement of 16 kWh per person. This growth, while positive, contrasts with a worrying decline in the low-carbon sector. The latest low-carbon generation is 42 kWh per person, significantly down from the historical peak of 75 kWh per person in 2002, representing a troubling decrease of 33 kWh. This reduction in clean energy utilization calls for a reevaluation of Tanzania's energy strategy to ensure that the growth of electricity consumption goes hand in hand with the expansion of sustainable, low-carbon energy sources.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Tanzania can look to successful regions that have significantly invested in solar and wind energy as well as nuclear power. The People's Republic of China is a leading example, having heavily invested in solar and wind power, generating 1213 TWh and 1131 TWh, respectively. Additionally, nuclear power is a reliable low-carbon option, as demonstrated by countries like the United States and France, which have maintained substantial outputs with 785 TWh and 379 TWh from nuclear energy. Given Tanzania's geographical advantages and the decreasing cost of solar technology, investing in solar and considering nuclear as a long-term option could substantially increase the low-carbon share of its electricity mix.
History
Historically, Tanzania's low-carbon electricity generation has been marked by fluctuations mainly associated with hydropower. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, hydropower saw marginal increases, with periods like 1998 and 2007 experiencing noteworthy uplifts of 0.6 TWh and 1.1 TWh, respectively. However, these gains were offset by significant declines in 2011, where hydropower output decreased by 0.7 TWh, along with additional minor downturns in other years. The intermittent pattern underscores the need for diversification into more reliable sources of low-carbon energy, such as solar or nuclear power, to ensure a stable and sustainable increase in Tanzania's clean electricity generation going forward.
