The current state of electricity consumption in the Central African Republic (CAR) indicates a significant challenge, with total electricity usage reaching only around 27 kWh per person in 2022. This is a stark contrast to the global average of 3649 kWh per person, reflecting a considerable energy deficit. Essentially all of this electricity generation in CAR is from low-carbon sources, demonstrating a reliance on clean energy to meet its limited electricity needs. Despite its clean energy reliance, this low level of total electricity generation contributes to limited economic development, restricted access to modern services, and poor overall living standards. Addressing these concerns is vital for the nation's growth and development.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Central African Republic?
Unfortunately, the electricity situation in CAR appears to be regressing, with data highlighting a decline in electricity consumption per person from a peak of 39 kWh in 2011 to 27 kWh in 2022. This represents a decrease of 12 kWh per person. Concurrently, low-carbon electricity generation has also decreased by 9 kWh per person from its highest recorded level of 37 kWh in 2014 to the current 27 kWh per person. This downturn in electricity consumption and clean energy generation underlines a worrying trend that could have severe implications for the nation's development, reinforcing the urgent need for strategic interventions to support an improvement in this sector.
Suggestions
To revitalize and expand low-carbon electricity generation in CAR, lessons can be drawn from successful regions globally. For instance, countries like the People's Republic of China have emerged as leaders in solar and wind energy, contributing substantial TWh to their national grids. With abundant sunlight, CAR can harness solar energy, similar to what Brazil is doing at 76 TWh or even like closer-in-scale successes such as Greece's 12 TWh. Nuclear energy is also a highly efficient and reliable clean energy source, as demonstrated by France's 371 TWh. By considering strategic investments in solar and nuclear energy technologies, CAR could build a sustainable energy infrastructure capable of meeting both current and future electricity demands while minimizing reliance on fossil fuels.
History
The historical trajectory of low-carbon electricity generation in CAR presents a largely stagnant picture over the years. Initial data from 2000 shows a small increase of 0.1 TWh in hydroelectric generation, but this positive development was not continued, with the numbers reflecting zero growth in subsequent years right through to 2022. This plateau in growth highlights a persistent systemic barrier to increasing clean electricity capacity in CAR. It underscores the necessity for a coherent strategy focused on scaling up green energy initiatives, particularly centering on solar and nuclear advancements that have proven viable and effective elsewhere in the world. It’s critical that interventions target this stagnation to ensure CAR can meet its energy needs sustainably.
