In 2023, Tanzania's electricity consumption reveals significant reliance on fossil fuels, with gas and other fossil-based sources generating nearly 16.3 TWh combined. This constitutes the majority of the electricity generation, as low-carbon sources contribute only around 2.8 TWh, primarily from hydropower. With more than half of Tanzania's electricity coming from fossil fuels, the country is significantly behind global low-carbon energy trends, where cleaner energy sources are increasingly favored. The per capita electricity consumption stands at 167 kWh, which is a mere fraction of the global average of 3658 kWh/person. This low level of electricity generation impacts socio-economic development, limiting industrial growth and reducing overall quality of life due to restricted access to energy-intensive services and technologies.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Tanzania?
Analyzing the growth trends, Tanzania's electricity consumption per person has shown some progress, moving from 151 kWh/person in 2022 to 167 kWh/person in 2023. This modest increase of 16 kWh/person suggests an upward trajectory, albeit from a low baseline. However, the move toward low-carbon energy is concerning, as recent data shows a decrease in per capita low-carbon electricity generation, falling from 75 kWh/person in 2002 to 42 kWh/person in 2023. This marks a worrying drop of 33 kWh/person, highlighting a setback in promoting cleaner energy sources. The reduction in low-carbon generation suggests a need for strategic interventions to ensure the sustainable growth of cleaner electricity forms.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Tanzania can draw inspiration from regions with successful clean energy models. Countries like China and the United States have effectively harnessed solar and wind energy, producing impressive outputs of 1170 TWh and 1130 TWh of solar and wind electricity respectively in China, and substantial wind and solar contributions in the United States too. Notably, nuclear energy from countries like France and states like Illinois and South Korea demonstrate the potential for large-scale clean power generation. By investing in solar and wind technologies and exploring nuclear energy expansion, Tanzania can chart a path towards a sustainable energy future, gradually reducing reliance on fossil fuels and fostering economic development.
History
Looking at Tanzania's history of low-carbon electricity, hydropower has seen fluctuating developments over the years. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, there were small increments in hydropower capacity. However, during the mid to late 1990s, the generation saw inconsistencies with peaks and dips. The early 2000s also reflected similar patterns, with notable reductions occurring in some years. Despite moments of growth, such as a 1.1 TWh increase in 2007, the past decade has reflected a fragile trajectory with both growth and decline, culminating in a slight increase in 2020 but again falling in subsequent years. The data underscores the unstable nature of relying solely on hydropower, indicating the necessity for diversification into other low-carbon energy sources like solar and nuclear to ensure a robust and reliable energy supply in the future.
