Senegal‘s source for electricity generation is overwhelmingly diesel and gas, which both need to be imported. Power demand has been growing throughout the last decade, and in tandem with upbeat economic forecasts it is expected to increase further in the next few years. Installation of new coal and diesel generation and exploitation of newly discovered offshore gas reserves is foreseen to keep up with rising demand. In addition, there is political will to have 15% of generation capacity from renewables by 2020, with regulations that have been promulgated since the signature of the first Energy Sector Development Policy Letter (Lettre de Politique de Développement du Secteur de l’Energie, LPDSE) in 2008, aiming in this direction.
Senegal’s national electricity access rate of 55% is relatively high with over 90% in urban centres, but estimated to less than 30% in rural areas. The Government of Senegal has set targets to achieve 60% access in 2017 and universal access in 2025. The electrification rate is rising as a result of new connections to the main grid and small off-grid projects. However, consumers and businesses connected to the grid still have to contend with highly unstable and unreliable electricity supply , leading to revenue and productivity losses for firms and the economy as a whole.
Rural electrification runs on a concessions program whereby ten distinct rural electrification concession areas can be awarded to bidders in a competitive tender. To date, six of the ten concessions have been awarded and three are up and running.
Electricity Consumption in 2014
Economic Sector | GWh |
Industry | 887 |
Transport | 0 |
Residential | 1064 |
Commercial and Public Services | 817 |
Agriculture / Forestry | 18 |
Fishing | 0 |
Other non-specified | 424 |
Final Electricity Consumption | 3210 |
Source: IEA