As of 2023, Tanzania's electricity consumption paints a picture of a nation with significant dependence on fossil energy sources. Fossil fuels and natural gas dominate the energy landscape of the country, contributing more than half of the electricity consumption with approximately 8.2 TWh each. In contrast, the generation from low-carbon sources is significantly smaller, with hydropower being the primary contributor at around 2.7 TWh, highlighting almost negligible output from other clean energy sources. When comparing to the global average of 3781 kWh/person, Tanzania's per capita electricity consumption of 167 kWh/person is only a small fraction. This disparity might limit economic growth and development, restrict access to modern amenities, and place constraints on industrialization and technological advancements in the country.
Is Electricity Growing in Tanzania?
Electricity consumption in Tanzania is experiencing growth, albeit from a low base. In 2023, electricity consumption reached 167 kWh/person, showing an increase from 2022's 151 kWh/person. While this represents a positive trajectory of more than a 10% increase, it's crucial to note that low-carbon electricity hasn't kept pace with this growth. The latest low-carbon generation stands at 42 kWh/person, a marked decline from the historical high of 76 kWh/person in 2002. This underlines a concerning trend where despite overall electricity consumption increasing, the contribution from clean sources has actually shrunk, calling for immediate action to reverse this dip in sustainable energy use.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Tanzania can draw lessons from various successful regions around the world. For instance, the People's Republic of China has seen outstanding success in solar and wind, generating 1,025 TWh and 1,122 TWh, respectively. Investing in solar technology, inspired by China's massive solar output or India's solar endeavors, which generated 154 TWh, could be highly beneficial given Tanzania's abundant sunlight. Concurrently, nuclear energy offers a reliable, large-scale solution—highlighted by France generating 363 TWh and the United States producing 778 TWh using nuclear power. While an ambitious step, integrating a nuclear power program could transform Tanzania's electricity landscape into a more sustainable and robust energy system.
History
Examining the historical data, Tanzania's journey with low-carbon electricity generation via hydropower has seen notable fluctuations. In the late 1980s through the 1990s, hydropower experienced modest growth with occasional setbacks. Notable gains occurred in the early 2000s, particularly in 2007 with an increase of 1.1 TWh. However, subsequent years saw a mixed trajectory with various declines, notably between 2004 and 2011. More encouragingly, 2014 and 2020 witnessed significant positive changes, particularly the 0.9 TWh increase in 2014 and an uptick of 0.7 TWh in 2020. Despite these oscillations, a more consistent and innovative approach is required to stabilize and expand Tanzania's low-carbon electricity capacity, particularly through new solar and nuclear installations.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.