Countries making the most progress on renewables rate a lot of attention, but we need to look at the other end of the spectrum, too. Compare the UK, above, with Turkmenistan, below, just starting its first real solar projects, or Benin, one of the poorest countries in Africa.
Which Country Uses the Least Alternative Energy?
Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Benin, Bahrain, Botswana, Kuwait, Libya, Mongolia, Oman, Qatar, Turkmenistan, Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore are listed by the Data World Bank as countries with virtually 0% of their energy being sourced from alternative and nuclear means.
Both oil-rich and desperately poor countries on this list are opening up serious development in renewables in 2024 for the first time.
Renewable energy in Benin: current situation and future prospects
Benin is one of the least-developed countries in West Africa, struggling to satisfy the energy needs of its 12.2 million inhabitants [11]. With a total surface area of 114 763 km2, the country is endowed with a high potential for energy resources [12]. However, almost 59% of Benin’s population currently lacks access to electricity.
The theoretical wind potential of Benin is estimated to be 322 MW.
Benin has recently inaugurated a 25-MW solar PV system.
The Solutions Project at Stanford has laid out a plan in outline for getting Benin to 100% renewables.
More about those on the bottom rungs next Tuesday.