Does Mali need solar power?

While more than 83 per cent of Mali’s population are still lacking energy access, the country has considerable potential to scale up clean energy access through solar power. Southwestern Mali alone has 53 Gigawatt of solar potential, enough to meet the whole country’s power demand.

How many people in Mali have access to electricity?

In Mali, less than half of the population has access to electricity, whereas in rural areas access is limited to only 16.7% of the population. In terms of modern fuels, access is extremely low, at only 2% and 3% for rural and urban areas, respectively. Energy access is widely recognised as essential to improve economic welfare.

What is the energy supply in Mali?

As in most sub-Saharan African countries, biomass (mainly in the form of firewood) provides the bulk of the energy supply (Figure 4). Mali has neither proven hydrocarbon resources nor a refinery; as a result, all petroleum products are imported through neighbouring coastal countries which impacts on the country’s balance of payments.

Are solar mini-grids a viable option in southwestern Mali?

Southwestern Mali alone has 53 Gigawatt of solar potential, enough to meet the whole country’s power demand. Solar mini-grids are not only a viable option for last-mile communities but are also at the heart of economic development and improved healthcare in those areas.

What is Mali's national energy policy?

3.2. Energy policy and regulatory frameworks Mali’s National Energy Policy (NEP) dates back to 2006 and aims to contribute to its overall sustainable development through the provision of cheap and reliable energy services, in order to increase electricity access and to promote its underlying socio-economic benefits.

Is Mali ready to scale up renewables?

The Ministry, working through the Mali Renewable Energy Agency (AER-Mali), has initiated a partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to assess Mali’s readiness to scale up renewables.