Western Sahara energy mix & electricity
Electricity generation in Western Sahara reached 90 GWh in 2009. Oil 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 2009
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 | 0.09 | 100% | — |
| Total | 0.09 | 100% |
Western Sahara: electricity in context
Electricity generation in Western Sahara reached 90 GWh in 2009. That is similar to São Tomé and Príncipe. Oil provides 100% of it. Few countries depend so heavily on a single source. 2009 is the most recent year with complete data for this country, so the picture may have changed since.
Renewables supplied 0% of the electricity. This puts it 34 points below the world average of 33.8%. It is also below the average for Africa (24.7%). Generating one kWh emits about 667 g CO₂e here (world average: 458 g). That makes it one of the more carbon-intensive grids in the world.
Wind and solar remain marginal in Western Sahara, together supplying under 1% of electricity.
Western Sahara generates 228 kWh of electricity per resident each year, 6% of the global average. Western Sahara 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.
Power plants in Western Sahara
The WRI Global Power Plant Database lists 1 utility-scale plants in Western Sahara with a combined capacity of 0 GW. Oil plants account for the largest slice (100% of listed capacity). The biggest single plant is Dakhla IC Power Plant Western Sahara (23 MW, Oil). 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 | Dakhla IC Power Plant Western Sahara | Oil | 23 | — | — |
Source: WRI Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0). Explore all 1 plants on the interactive power plant map.
Solar & wind farms: Western Sahara
17 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 106 MW of solar and 813 MW of wind operating, plus 17.9 GW under construction or planned.
See them on the mapLargest solar & wind farms: Western Sahara →
How does Western Sahara compare?
Western Sahara 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Sahara | 0% | 0% | 100% | 667 | 228 | 0.1 | — | |
| Algeria | 1.1% | 1.1% | 98.9% | 633 | 2,058 | 96.4 | Compare | |
| Morocco | 24% | 24% | 76% | 596 | 1,158 | 44.5 | Compare | |
| Mauritania | 22.7% | 22.7% | 77.3% | 512 | 400 | 2.1 | Compare | |
| Senegal | 19.8% | 19.8% | 80.2% | 540 | 412 | 7.6 | Compare | |
| Mali | 19.5% | 19.5% | 80.5% | 539 | 243 | 6 | Compare | |
| Gambia | 0% | 0% | 100% | 667 | 185 | 0.5 | 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 Western Sahara
Western Sahara energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in Western Sahara is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in Western Sahara?
How clean is the electricity in Western Sahara?
How much electricity does Western Sahara 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 2009. 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.