Rwanda's electricity consumption in 2023 reveals a mixed picture, with a relatively low level of electricity usage compared to the global average. The country's total electricity consumption stands at about 77 kWh per person, which is significantly lower than the global average of approximately 3781 kWh per person. This means that the average Rwandan consumes less than a fraction of what is consumed globally, emphasizing the need for increased electricity generation to support development and improve living standards. The electricity mix in Rwanda includes low-carbon resources, with clean energy contributing more than half of the total, while fossil energy remains responsible for the remaining portion. The low level of electricity generation could hinder Rwanda's ability to drive economic growth, electrify new sectors, and provide reliable power to its citizens, potentially impacting social and economic progress.
Is Electricity Growing in Rwanda?
Looking at the trend of electricity consumption in Rwanda, there has been stagnation recently. In 2023, the total electricity consumption remained constant at 77 kWh per person, showing no change from the previous year's record. Low-carbon electricity generation slightly decreased, falling from the 2021 record of 44 kWh per person to 43 kWh per person in 2023. This stagnation is a cause for concern, indicating that Rwanda risks falling further behind in meeting both its energy needs and its commitments to cleaner energy sources. A concerted effort is required to boost electricity capacity and deployment of low-carbon sources to catch up with global trends.
Suggestions
Rwanda can take inspiration from other regions to increase its low-carbon electricity generation capacity, particularly by embracing solar and nuclear energy. Countries like India and Brazil have successfully harnessed significant solar and wind power, with India generating 150 TWh from solar and Brazil using wind to produce 111 TWh. While Rwanda may be more inclined toward solar due to its abundant sunlight, the global examples set by countries like France, which generates a substantial amount of its electricity via nuclear power (363 TWh), also set a potential path forward. Emulating such models can significantly assist Rwanda in advancing its clean electricity sector, ensuring energy security and sustainable growth.
History
Historically, Rwanda's low-carbon electricity generation, primarily from hydroelectric sources, has shown modest growth with occasional fluctuations. Starting in 1996, there was a temporary dip in hydroelectric output, but by the late 2010s, there was renewed interest and slight increases in certain years. For example, 2014 and subsequent years like 2019 saw small upticks. However, the lack of substantial growth in recent decades underscores the urgent need for diversifying and expanding Rwanda's low-carbon electricity sources such as solar and nuclear to ensure a resilient energy future. This reinforces the necessity for Rwanda to innovate and adopt lessons from successful nations in integrating low-carbon technology into their power generation strategies.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.