Energy Consumption in Africa

When Africa is compared to other continents we can see that it has the lowest energy comsumption rate. Even thought Africa uses energy in all of its day to day activites it's rank as a third world country places it at the bottom of the totum poll in comsumption. But that doesnt mean it's not the rest of the world they to have to deal with economic development, basic living standards and the need for energy.The rates of energy consumption are constantly changing due to things such as advances in technology or population growth. Since technology isn't as advanced in Africa many still rely on wood and charcoal as a source of energy. But, even with those changing rates Africa just can't compete with the more developed continents. Africa also holds the rank as lowest in the world average TOE (ton of oil uquivalant) they only have 0.6 ton per capita. "This is three times less than the average, seven times less than in Europe and fifteen times less than America." (ADEA-ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY IN AFRICA)

According to the US Department of Energy (1991):Per capita modern energy consumption has been declining over the last 10 years and is set to decline even further as population continues to increase and electricity generation continues to show a downward trend. The generation of hydrogen-based electricity has dropped by more than 20 per cent in the past decade.

According to the ADEA: If one considers that the Republic of South Africa accounts for 40% of Africa's energy consumption on its own and that North African countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt) also have a relatively high level of demand, this means that the average consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa is so low that it does not make possible the economic development required to reduce poverty.

A few plans have been put into action for developing energy in Africa. There are going to be attempts to bring populations who have been left out into a commercial system of energy. There are going to be attempts at numerous actions to make this happen. They hope to make produce that would be easier to recycle while promoting natural gas consumptions which is an abundant reource in parts of Africa. These are just a couple of the plans that are hoped to go into effect.