Niger Energy Information

Niger Energy Research

- Niger's Energy & Climate Policy Framework: Niger aims to boost energy capacity to 850 MW by 2030 and achieve 80% electrification by 2035, with a focus on renewables. Recent reforms include sector liberalisation and new regulatory frameworks. Despite challenges, the country is advancing its energy and climate goals through strategic plans and international partnerships.

- Niger's Energy Companies: Niger has liberalised power generation, with a Mauritanian firm leading production. The government nationalised key energy firms, including Nigelec and Somair. China's CNPC dominates the oil sector, controlling production, a pipeline, and the refinery. Nigelec manages electricity transmission and distribution, while Sonichar operates a coal-fired plant. Uranium production has been impacted by nationalisation and operational challenges.

- Niger's Energy Supply & Demand: Niger relies heavily on Nigeria for electricity imports, with biomass and oil dominating its energy mix. Despite rapid population growth, per capita energy consumption remains among the lowest globally. Recent developments include a new oil export pipeline and increased solar power capacity. Uranium production has significantly declined, and electricity generation fluctuates due to political and infrastructural challenges.

- Niger's Energy Use & Price by Sector: In 2023, final energy consumption in the country was dominated by biomass (69%), with limited access to clean cooking and electricity. The residential sector was the largest consumer (75%), followed by transport (21%) and industry (4%). Energy prices are government-regulated, with subsidies for electricity, particularly for households and industries.

- Niger's Issues & Prospects: Niger's energy projects face delays post-coup, with hydro and uranium ventures impacted. By 2030, capacity is set to reach 850 MW, including 30% renewables. Key projects include solar, wind, hydro, and coal initiatives, alongside nuclear plans with Russia. Transmission and interconnection projects aim to enhance regional power integration. Oil and gas developments continue, while uranium projects face licence revocations amid shifting partnerships.

Niger Total Energy Production & Consumption

In 2023, primary energy consumption rose by 2.6% to 3.1 Mtoe. Since 2017, consumption has grown by an average of 5.6%/year. In a context of rapid population growth (almost 4%/year over 2010-2023), the country's total energy consumption per capita remains small at 0.12 toe in 2023 (stable compared to 2010 but 74% below the Sub-Saharan average). It is the lowest energy consumption per capita in West Africa and the 4th lowest in the world.

Graph: Primary Consumption Trends by Energy Source

Source: Niger energy report

Interactive Chart Niger Total Energy Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Niger Oil Production & Consumption

Oil production reached 0.9 Mt in 2023, rebounding by 15% after a 11% drop in 2022. Oil production started in 2011 and has averaged 850 kt/year since 2013.

A 1 980 km oil pipeline (4.5 Mt/year) linking the Agadem oil fields (90 kb/d capacity) to the port of Cotonou in Benin to enable exports of crude oil was commissioned in 2024. However, the US$4bn pipeline was stopped in May 2024, following a dispute between the governments of Niger and Benin. Exports restarted in August 2024.

Graph: Crude Oil Production & Consumption

Source: Niger energy report

Interactive Chart Niger Crude Oil Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Interactive Chart Niger Refined Oil Products Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Niger Natural Gas Production & Consumption

Gas production stood at 40 mcm in 2023, a level that has remained stable since 2019, the year Niger began producing gas. Since then, the country has consumed its entire production domestically, for its power sector.

Graph: Gas Production & Consumption

Source: Niger energy report

Interactive Chart Niger Gas Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Niger Coal and Lignite Production & Consumption

Coal production is low (0.2 Mt in 2023, -18% compared to 2022) and declining (-1.6%/year since 2010). It is almost entirely consumed domestically for the production of electricity (97% in 2023).

Graph: Coal Production & Consumption

Source: Niger energy report

Interactive Chart Niger Coal and Lignite Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Niger Renewable in % Electricity Production

According to the country's National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP, 2015), renewables (including hydro) were to account for 51% of the installed capacity by 2020 and 58% by 2030; however, the 2020 target was not reached, with renewables representing less than 5% of the capacity. The NREAP also sets a target of 30% access to electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 for rural populations. The new PDES includes an objective of 15% of solar in the power mix in 2026 (nearly reached in 2023).

Source: Niger energy report

Interactive Chart Niger Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Niger GHG emissions and CO₂ emissions

In its updated NDC (2021), Niger targets an unconditional GHG emissions reduction of 12.6% by 2030 from a BAU scenario in the Agriculture, Forestry, and other Land Use sector, and a conditional reduction of 22.75% by 2030. For the energy sector, it targets an unconditional GHG emission reduction of 10.6% by 2030, raised to 45% with international support. Estimated costs for the application of the NDC amount to US$2.6bn for unconditional targets and US$7.3bn for conditional targets. Almost 68% of the total cost is directed towards climate adaptation.

Source: Niger energy report

Interactive Chart Niger CO₂ emissions

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data