Why is electricity important in Niger?

Availability of electricity allows people both urban and rural to increase their income and improve their living conditions through developing income generating activities. The current authorities of Niger understand that energy is the basis of any change that leads to development.

Is Niger a member of ECOWAS?

The outcome of this process has no doubt because Niger is a member of the Economic Community West African States (ECOWAS). The ECOWAS protocol on energy, which was ratified by Niger in 2005, developed on the basis of principles of the Energy Charter Treaty.

What type of energy is used in Niger?

Renewable energy here is the sum of hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, modern biomass and wave and tidal energy. Traditional biomass – the burning of charcoal, crop waste, and other organic matter – is not included. This can be an important energy source in lower-income settings. Niger: How much of the country’s energy comes from nuclear power?

Why is access to energy a problem in Niger?

Despite this rich potential, access to energy is still a challenge for the authorities. Final energy consumption in Niger is estimated at 0.15 toe per capita, one of the lowest in the world. The weakness of this value is mainly due to limited access of Niger’s households to modern energy.

What is the energy potential of Niger?

Niger has significant energy potential, rich and varied, that is weakly exploited. It consists of biomass (firewood and agricultural residues, the main source used by households for cooking), uranium, mineral coal, oil, natural gas, hydroelectricity and solar energy.

Does Niger use wood for cooking?

Indeed, over 90% of Niger’s households use wood as fuel for cooking. Access to modern cooking fuels and other modern energy is still very limited. According to the energy balance of 2012, total primary energy supply in the country is estimated at 2747 ktoe, of which over 70% comes from biomass.