In Liberia, the state of electricity consumption in 2023 can be described as extremely low. With the total electricity usage amounting to 71 kWh per person, it's strikingly below the global average of 3649 kWh per person. Fossil fuels remain dominant, while low-carbon energy generation contributes only 24 kWh per person. This significant shortfall in power supply has various implications for the country, including constrained economic development, limited industrial growth, and a mere fraction of the population enjoying reliable electricity access. Prolonged power shortages can hinder advancements in health, education, and overall quality of life, maintaining a cycle of poverty due to reliance on fossil fuels, which further exacerbates climate change and air pollution concerns.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Liberia?
Over the years, Liberia's electricity consumption has seen a declining trend. In 1980, electricity consumption reached its peak at 467 kWh per person, declining to the current 71 kWh per person, marking a decrease of about 396 kWh. Similarly, low-carbon energy production, which was 156 kWh per person in 1980, also plummeted by 132 kWh per person to the present level of 24 kWh. This suggests that not only has overall electricity consumption decreased significantly, but also the contribution of low-carbon energy sources has drastically dropped. Such a decline signals the urgency for Liberia to prioritize increasing clean energy, as the persistent trend reflects missed opportunities for sustainable growth, and economic and technological advancements.
Suggestions
To reverse these trends, Liberia can learn from regions that have successfully harnessed low-carbon energy. For instance, solar and wind energy offer immense potential, evidenced by countries like India, which generates over 150 TWh of solar power, and Brazil with 114 TWh from wind. Additionally, solar power development should be accelerated, inspired by achievements in California and Texas, where solar generation significantly contributes to their clean energy mix. Meanwhile, nuclear energy presents another reliable path, with France setting an exemplary precedent by generating 371 TWh from nuclear power. By investing in and expanding both solar and nuclear infrastructure, Liberia can substantially elevate its low-carbon electricity generation, ultimately promoting cleaner and more efficient energy solutions.
History
In the early 1980s, Liberia's low-carbon electricity generation was primarily static, with hydroelectric power contributing zero growth from 1981 through 1983. Subsequently, a minor decline occurred in 1984, followed by a brief upward tick in 1985, before plateauing once more. It wasn't until 2018 that noticeable growth resumed, albeit at a modest level of 0.1 TWh. In the following years, including 2023, hydroelectric generation remained unchanged. Such stagnation illustrates a missed opportunity over decades to capitalize on Liberia's natural resources for sustainable growth. To strengthen its energy infrastructure, embracing transformative low-carbon technologies, including solar and nuclear, is vital for Liberia's future energy security and progress.
