Electricity in São Tomé & Príncipe in 2022

In 2022, São Tomé & Príncipe had an electricity consumption profile heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with close to none coming from low-carbon sources such as hydroelectric, wind, solar, or nuclear energy. This heavy dependency on fossil energy contributes to pollution and has negative impacts on environmental sustainability. The overall electricity generation per person was significantly lower than the global average of 3813 watts per person, indicating a shortage that could hinder economic development and limit access to modern amenities and services that require reliable electricity. The low electricity generation may also contribute to energy insecurity and affect the country's ability to attract investments and support modern industries.

Suggestions

São Tomé & Príncipe can look to successful countries for strategies to increase low-carbon electricity generation. Small island nations and developing regions, much like São Tomé & Príncipe, can learn from Brazil or India, who have made significant strides with both wind and solar energy. Brazil, for example, managed to generate more than 100 TWh from wind and almost 75 TWh from solar energy, demonstrating a focused investment in these technologies. For São Tomé & Príncipe, prioritizing solar and wind installations could be pivotal due to their suitable climate conditions. Furthermore, investing in small-scale nuclear projects could also be beneficial. Many countries, regardless of size, are increasingly leveraging nuclear power as a reliable source of low-carbon electricity, as seen with countries like South Korea and China.

History

Historically, São Tomé & Príncipe has seen a constant status quo with no significant advancements or increases in low-carbon electricity generation from hydro sources over the years. Since 2002 up until 2022, the contribution of hydroelectric power to the electricity mix has remained stagnant. This consistent lack of progress signifies an untapped potential in hydroelectric energy generation, which, along with the expansion into other low-carbon sources like solar, wind, and nuclear, could help shift the country's energy profile towards a more sustainable model. As global pressures to reduce carbon emissions rise, diversifying and scaling up low-carbon electricity generation becomes not only an opportunity but also an imperative path forward.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources