Country Overview
The East African country of the State of Eritrea is bordered by the Red Sea, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti. The population of Eritrea is approximately 3.76 million people.
In 2022, Eritrea’s economy was ranked 166th in gross domestic product (GDP) in the world. The country’s economy is based on the export of zinc ore, copper ore, gold, women’s suits, and stone processing machines.
Environmental Policies
In 2016, Eritrea signed the Paris Climate Agreement, committing to an unconditional 39.2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to business as usual levels.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2021, 52.25 % of the people in Eritrea had access to electricity. In 2021, the state-owned Eritrean Electricity Company used refined petroleum (97.8 %) and renewable energy (2.2%) to generate electricity in the country. Solar is the dominant type of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Eritrea.
The following is the only recent renewable energy project in Eritrea:
- 30 MW Solar + Energy Storage Project Tender – In August 2023, Eritrea’s Ministry of Energy and Mines launched a tender for a solar, battery energy storage system (BESS), and a 66 kV transmission line in the town of Dekemhare, which is approximately 22 miles southeast of the nation’s capital, Asmara.
Conclusions
Eritrea imports refined petroleum for transportation and power generation. In 2021, Eritrea imported U.S. $8.27 Million for imported refined petroleum.
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.
Eritrea has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources, including solar, biomass, onshore wind, and offshore wind. If developed, Eritrea’s renewable energy resources could provide low-coast, reliable electricity to everyone across the nation. Costly petroleum imports has prompted Eritrea to turn to solar to provide low-cost, green electricity.
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 a diverse range of energy issues.