In Tanzania, the current state of electricity consumption reveals a heavy reliance on fossil energy, comprising more than half of its electricity generation with gas accounting for 8.12 TWh and other fossil fuels at 8.18 TWh. Clean energy sources like hydropower contribute significantly less, with a generation of just 2.7 TWh, slightly rounding up the low-carbon total to 2.8 TWh. This paints a clear picture of the energy landscape in the country, where relying predominantly on fossil fuels poses ongoing issues related to climate change and air pollution. The per-person electricity consumption in Tanzania stands at 167 kWh, which is a fraction compared to the global average of 3736 kWh/person, underscoring potential constraints on economic growth and improvements in quality of life. Limited electricity hampers industrial activities, curbs educational opportunities, and impacts electrification progress, emphasizing the need for accelerated growth in electricity production.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Tanzania?
Examining the trend over recent years, it's apparent that electricity consumption in Tanzania is on the rise, albeit slowly. The latest consumption figures of 167 kWh/person in 2023 highlight a modest increase from the previous record of 151 kWh/person in 2022. This indicates a growth of 16 kWh/person compared to the previous high. However, concerningly, the growth of low-carbon energy generation is not keeping pace and actually reflects a decline from past highs, with current per-person generation at 42 kWh compared to the exceptional 75 kWh/person in 2002. A reduction in reliance on clean energy is worrisome and calls for the urgent need to revive low-carbon initiatives, emphasizing the great potential source for future sustainable energy expansion in the country.
Suggestions
To bolster Tanzania's low-carbon electricity generation, it can look to successful strategies employed by other regions with robust low-carbon energy portfolios. Emulating India's strides in solar energy, which produces 168 TWh, could serve to significantly elevate Tanzania's solar capacity. Similarly, leveraging expertise from the United States' nuclear energy advancement, which yields a substantial 785 TWh, could guide Tanzania in developing sustainable nuclear projects. Additionally, adopting wind energy strategies like those of Brazil and Germany, generating over 100 TWh, can further diversify Tanzania's clean energy mix. Prompt action and investment in solar, wind, and nuclear energy, inspired by these positive global models, can shield Tanzania from fossil dependency while propelling its transition into a green energy powerhouse.
History
In Tanzania's historical pattern of low-carbon electricity generation, hydropower has played a significant role, but it has seen both increases and reductions over the years. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Tanzania witnessed gradual but small increases in hydroelectric generation, dotted with periods of decline. For instance, in 1994 and 1997, there were minor reductions, interrupting growth episodes. The early 2000s experienced a fluctuating trend with considerable growth spurts, such as the rise of 1.1 TWh in 2007, followed by setbacks, notably negative growth in 2011 and 2022. Such volatile periods highlight the need for strategic diversification into stable low-carbon sources like nuclear and solar energy to ensure a more reliable and sustainable increase in clean electricity generation.
