Central African Republic energy mix & electricity
In 2023, the Central African Republic generated 140 GWh of electricity. Hydropower provides 100% of it. Few countries depend so heavily on a single source.
The power system is very small (under 1 TWh a year), so it is not included in share-based world rankings. A single plant can change its mix dramatically from one year to the next.
Electricity generation by source in 2023
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 0.14 | 100% | 0 |
| Total | 0.14 | 100% |
Central African Republic: electricity in context
In 2023, the Central African Republic generated 140 GWh of electricity. That is similar to Comoros. Hydropower provides 100% of it. Few countries depend so heavily on a single source.
The renewable share stood at 100%. This puts it 66 points above the world average of 33.8%. It is also above the average for Africa (24.7%). Generating one kWh emits about 0 g CO₂e here (world average: 458 g). Few grids anywhere are this clean.
Overall, the renewable share has barely moved over ten years (a change of under one percentage point).
Coal has never been part of the power mix in the Central African Republic in any meaningful way.
Wind and solar remain marginal in the Central African Republic, together supplying under 1% of electricity.
The Central African Republic generates 27 kWh of electricity per resident each year, 1% of the global average. The Central African Republic does not trade electricity with other countries: the grid is not interconnected with any neighbour.
How the power mix has changed
Electricity generation by source since 2000. Switch to shares to see the structural shift independent of demand growth.
Renewables and carbon intensity
Central African Republic against the world and Africa averages.
Power plants in Central African Republic
The WRI Global Power Plant Database lists 2 utility-scale plants in the Central African Republic with a combined capacity of 0 GW. Hydro plants account for the largest slice (56% of listed capacity). The biggest single plant is Boali (19 MW, Hydro). The database was last updated in 2021, so newer wind and solar farms and rooftop PV are under-represented.
Largest power plants
| # | Plant | Fuel | Capacity MW | Commissioned | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boali | Hydro | 19 | — | — |
| 2 | Bangui Enerca | Oil | 14 | — | — |
Source: WRI Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0). Explore all 2 plants on the interactive power plant map.
Solar & wind farms: Central African Republic
4 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 48 MW of solar and 0 MW of wind operating, plus 50 MW under construction or planned.
See them on the mapLargest solar & wind farms: Central African Republic →
How does Central African Republic compare?
Central African Republic next to 6 neighbouring countries, plus regional and world averages. Click a column to sort; use “Compare” for full side-by-side charts.
| Country | Renewable % | Low-carbon % | Fossil % | gCO₂/kWh | kWh / person | Generation TWh | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central African Republic | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0 | 27 | 0.1 | — | |
| DR Congo | 100% | 100% | 0% | 28 | 146 | 15.9 | Compare | |
| Chad | 5.4% | 5.4% | 94.6% | 622 | 18 | 0.4 | Compare | |
| South Sudan | 1.8% | 1.8% | 98.2% | 643 | 47 | 0.6 | Compare | |
| Cameroon | 73.1% | 73.1% | 26.9% | 226 | 249 | 7.3 | Compare | |
| Republic of the Congo | 20.9% | 20.9% | 79.1% | 716 | 862 | 5.5 | Compare | |
| Sudan | 79.7% | 79.7% | 20.3% | 154 | 293 | 14.8 | Compare | |
| Africa average | 24.7% | 25.5% | 74.5% | 544 | 635 | 962 | Compare | |
| World average | 33.8% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 458 | 3,860 | 31,772 | Compare |
Calculators for Central African Republic
Central African Republic energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in the Central African Republic is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in the Central African Republic?
How clean is the electricity in the Central African Republic?
How much electricity does the Central African Republic use per person?
More countries in Africa
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries
- World Resources Institute: Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0) — power plant locations and capacity
Electricity data: Ember and Energy Institute Statistical Review via Our World in Data (CC BY 4.0); latest year 2023. Power plants: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). Rankings exclude systems under 1 TWh and values older than 2020. Figures may be revised by the original publishers.