National Economy
The land-locked African country of the Central African Republic (CAR) is bordered by Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, and Cameroon. The population of the CAR is approximately 5.07 million people[1].
In 2022, the CAR’s economy was ranked 165th in gross domestic product (GDP) in the world[2]. The country’s economy is based on the export[3] of gold, rough wood, diamonds, sawn wood, and large construction vehicles.
Environmental Policies
In 2016, the CAR signed the Paris Climate Agreement[4], committing to a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to business as usual levels. The CAR also committed to a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, conditional on international funding.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2020, only 15.5% of the people in the CAR had access to electricity[5]. In 2021, the state-owned utility, Energie Centrafricaine used only renewable energy (100%) to generate electricity in the country[6]. Hydropower is the dominant type of renewable energy used to generate electricity in the CAR.
Recent renewable energy projects in the CAR include:
- 40 MW Solar Project – Energie Centrafricaine is continuing work on the expansion of the Danzi solar project from 25 MW to 40 MW. The solar project is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Bangui.
- 15 MW Solar Project – In May 2023, state-owned Energie Centrafricaine commissioned the Sakaï solar project at a site approximately 5 miles southwest of the nation’s capital, Bangui.
Conclusions
The CAR has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources including solar, hydropower, wind, and biomass. The nation’s renewable resources could provide electricity to everyone in this beautiful, but impoverished country.
The CAR has vast mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, iron, copper, tin, and uranium. However, the CAR’s economy has been devastated by civil war and disease. International financial aid is now providing clean, green electricity for the CAR.
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, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on numerous energy related topics.
[1] Central African Republic’s Population (2023) – May 21, 2023, www.worldometers.info
[2] Gross Domestic Product By Country 2022 – Worldometer
[3] The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) – Central African Republic
[4] Carbon Brief – “Paris 2015: Tracking Country Pledges” www.carbonbriefing.org
[5] World Bank, Access To Electricity (% Population) – Central African Republic
[6] Our World In Data – Central African Republic: Energy Country Profile by Hanna Ritchie and Max Roser