Electricity in Gambia in 2023
As of 2023, electricity consumption in Gambia stands at 189 kWh per person, which is starkly below the global average of 3649 kWh per person. Gambian electricity is entirely derived from fossil fuels, with no low-carbon sources contributing to the country's energy mix. This reliance on fossil fuels not only impedes Gambia's efforts toward sustainability but also has detrimental effects on the environment, primarily through carbon emissions and pollution. Such low levels of electricity generation can restrict economic growth and limit access to modern conveniences and technologies, which are crucial for advancement in sectors such as education, healthcare, and industry.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Gambia?
Analyzing Gambia's electricity trajectory reveals a concerning trend. The latest figures show a decrease from a previous high recorded in 2021 when electricity consumption reached 194 kWh per person. With zero kWh per person of clean energy being produced in 2023, there has been no progress in integrating low-carbon sources since the recorded zero in the year 2000. This stagnation starkly emphasizes the urgent need for Gambia to diversify and augment its electricity generation portfolio to include significant portions of clean energy, especially as it strives to pursue sustainability and self-reliance.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Gambia could benefit from observing regions with successful implementations of solar and nuclear energy. Countries such as the People's Republic of China lead the way with substantial generation from both solar (1114 TWh) and wind (1093 TWh) sources. Meanwhile, nations like the United States present successful examples with 778 TWh generated from nuclear energy. For Gambia, which enjoys abundant sunlight, harnessing solar power would be particularly advantageous. By investing in solar technology and potentially exploring future nuclear options, Gambia can take meaningful steps towards establishing a sustainable and resilient electrical grid.
History
Historically, Gambia has seen a complete absence of low-carbon electricity generation, with data indicating no changes or developments over the past few decades. The early years of electrification were dominated by fossil fuels, and unfortunately, there hasn’t been any shift or introduction of clean energy technologies to date. This long stretch of stagnation is disappointing and calls for immediate and transformative strategies to break from past patterns, adopting clean energy solutions to steer towards a greener and more sustainable future. Bold and visionary steps are necessary to accelerate this transition in the decades ahead, ensuring Gambia capitalizes on clean energy opportunities and significantly contributing to global sustainability goals.
