National Economy
The land-locked, African country of the Republic of Chad is bordered by Libya, Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria. The population of Chad is approximately 17.69 million people[1].
In 2022, Chad’s economy was ranked 137th in gross domestic product (GDP) in the world[2]. The country’s economy is dependent[3] on the export of crude oil, gold, oily seeds, insect resins, and raw cotton.
Environmental Policies
In 2016, Chad signed the Paris Climate Agreement[4], committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18.2% by 2030, compared to a business-as-usual scenario.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2020, only 11.1% of the people in Chad had access to electricity[5]. In 2021, utilities used oil (96.8 %) and renewable energy (3.2 %) to generate electricity in Chad[6]. Wind and solar are the primary types of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Chad.
Recent renewable energy projects in Chad include:
- 100 MW Solar Projects – In January 2022, Swiss engineering company, Merl Solar Technologies AG commissioned two 50 MW solar power plants at sites near N’Djamena, the country’s capital.
- 30 MW Solar Project – In December 2021, Indian power company, Mahagenco Solar commissioned a solar power plant in the town of Sarh in the southeast region of the country.
- 500 kW Solar Project – In November 2020, the government of Chad commissioned the Bithéa solar power station, which is located in the eastern region of the country. The solar power station will power the water pumping station in the town of Abéché.
Conclusions
In 1974, oil was discovered approximately 100 miles north-northwest of Chad’s capital, N’Djamena. In 2020, the crude oil exports generated U.S. $1.19 Billion for government of Chad.
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to place economic sanctions on Russian imports and exports. As a result, the crude oil and natural gas prices increased by over 50% from May 2021 to May 2022.
Chad has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, and biomass. Renewable energy could dramatically increase electricity access to all the people in Chad. Crude oil exports are now helping Chad to develop the nation’s renewable resources.
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jackkerfoot.com
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on numerous energy topics.
[1] Chad Population (2023) – March 12, 2023, www.worldometers.info
[2] Gross Domestic Product By Country 2022 – Worldometer
[3] The Observatory of Economic Complexity – Chad
[4] Carbon Brief “Paris 2015: Tracking Country Climate Pledges”
[5] World Bank, “Access To Electricity (% Population) – Chad
[6] Our World In Data, Chad: Country Profile by Hanna Ritchie and Max Roser