Mali energy mix & electricity
In 2024, Mali generated 6 TWh of electricity. The supply is almost entirely oil, which accounted for 80.5% of generation; hydropower made up most of the remainder (15.4%).
Electricity generation by source in 2024
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil | 4.8 | 80.5% | +38.7 |
| Hydro | 0.92 | 15.4% | −39.5 |
| Solar | 0.17 | 2.9% | +1.7 |
| Bioenergy | 0.07 | 1.2% | −0.8 |
| Total | 5.96 | 100% |
Mali: electricity in context
In 2024, Mali generated 6 TWh of electricity. That is similar to Cyprus. The supply is almost entirely oil, which accounted for 80.5% of generation; hydropower made up most of the remainder (15.4%).
The renewable share stood at 19.5%, placing Mali 109th of 158 ranked countries. This puts it 14 points below the world average of 33.8%. It is also below the average for Africa (24.7%). Generating one kWh emits about 539 g CO₂e here (world average: 458 g). The grid is more carbon-intensive than the world average. On carbon intensity, Mali ranks 108th of 158 from the cleanest.
The decade’s big winner is oil, up 3.8 TWh between 2014 and 2024 (plus 38.7 percentage points of the mix). Meanwhile hydropower lost the most ground, down 460 GWh. The net effect: renewables lost 38.7 percentage points of share since 2014. Total generation grew by 3.5 TWh over the same period. Carbon intensity, however, rose from 291 to 539 g/kWh (+85%).
Coal has never been part of the power mix in Mali in any meaningful way.
Wind and solar together provided 2.9% of electricity (solar 2.9%, wind 0%), compared with 17.3% worldwide.
Mali generates 243 kWh of electricity per resident each year, 6% of the global average. Mali is a net exporter, selling 500 GWh more electricity abroad than it imports (9% of domestic demand).
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
Mali against the world and Africa averages.
Power plants in Mali
The WRI Global Power Plant Database lists 4 utility-scale plants in Mali with a combined capacity of 0.3 GW. Hydro plants account for the largest slice (100% of listed capacity). The biggest single plant is Manantali Hydroelectric Power Plant Mali (200 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 | Manantali Hydroelectric Power Plant Mali | Hydro | 200 | — | — |
| 2 | Felou Hydroelectric Power Plant Mali | Hydro | 62 | — | — |
| 3 | Selingue Hydroelectric Power Plant Mali | Hydro | 44 | — | — |
| 4 | Sotuba Hydroelectric Power Plant Mali | Hydro | 5 | — | — |
Source: WRI Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0). Explore all 4 plants on the interactive power plant map.
Solar & wind farms: Mali
22 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 173 MW of solar and 0 MW of wind operating, plus 1.1 GW under construction or planned.
How does Mali compare?
Mali 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mali | 19.5% | 19.5% | 80.5% | 539 | 243 | 6 | — | |
| Burkina Faso | 17.2% | 17.2% | 82.8% | 562 | 72 | 1.7 | Compare | |
| Mauritania | 22.7% | 22.7% | 77.3% | 512 | 400 | 2.1 | Compare | |
| Guinea | 75.2% | 75.2% | 24.8% | 181 | 273 | 4 | Compare | |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 28.9% | 28.9% | 71.1% | 405 | 338 | 10.8 | Compare | |
| Senegal | 19.8% | 19.8% | 80.2% | 540 | 412 | 7.6 | Compare | |
| Algeria | 1.1% | 1.1% | 98.9% | 633 | 2,058 | 96.4 | 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 Mali
Mali energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in Mali is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in Mali?
How clean is the electricity in Mali?
Does Mali have nuclear power?
How much electricity does Mali use per person?
How much solar power does Mali produce?
Does Mali import electricity?
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 2024. 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.