Why is a Reliable Electricity Supply Important for a Nation?
Electricity, a cornerstone of modern society, powers nearly every aspect of our lives, from households and businesses to industries and government services. Therefore, a robust and reliable electricity supply is critical for a country’s development and prosperity. This post will explore why a good electricity supply is essential for a nation, and we list some of the main countries where the lack of a reliable and sustainable power supply is an ongoing issue.
Economic Growth and Development: A reliable electricity supply is a critical driver of economic growth and development. It powers industries and businesses, enabling them to manufacture goods, provide services, and carry out transactions. For instance, reliable electricity is a prerequisite for high-tech industries and data centres that require consistent power to function effectively. It also allows businesses to operate beyond daylight hours, improving productivity.
Quality of Life: Reliable electricity improves the quality of life for citizens. It powers homes, making various activities such as lighting, cooking, heating, and cooling possible, and using electronic devices like televisions, computers, and smartphones. A stable power supply is also crucial for operating critical household appliances such as refrigerators, which store food and medicines.
Health and Safety: A good electricity supply is vital for healthcare facilities, ensuring the operation of life-saving medical equipment, maintaining cold chains for vaccines, and powering lighting for surgeries and other procedures. Furthermore, reliable electricity improves public safety by powering streetlights, traffic signals, and surveillance systems, and it enables rapid communication during emergencies.
Education and Research: Electricity is indispensable in education and research. It powers schools, universities, and research institutions, enabling the use of digital technologies for teaching, learning, and conducting research. It also facilitates online learning, which has become increasingly important in the modern world.
Environmental Sustainability While traditional electricity generation methods have contributed to environmental challenges, a shift toward renewable and efficient electricity supply systems can be pivotal in mitigating climate change. Reliable electricity from renewable sources reduces dependence on fossil fuels, curbs greenhouse gas emissions, and fosters sustainable development.
Technological Advancement A reliable electricity supply fosters technological advancement and innovation. It enables the development and use of technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, key drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
In conclusion, a good electricity supply is essential for a country’s economic growth, quality of life, health, safety, education, research, environmental sustainability, and technological advancement. Ensuring a reliable electricity supply should therefore be a priority for every country. As the world grapples with climate change and energy security challenges, efforts to build resilient, efficient, and sustainable electricity supply networks have never been more critical.
Countries that lack a Reliable and Sustainable Power Network
We list below some 80 odd countries, drawn from our ‘World Voltage Reports‘, where we know the reliability of the electricity supply has been and still is to be found wanting!
Afghanistan: Ongoing conflict and instability have hindered the development of reliable electricity infrastructure in Afghanistan. The country struggles with frequent power outages, and a significant portion of the population lacks access to electricity. > more
Algeria: Despite being a significant exporter of natural gas, Algeria faces power deficits, particularly during periods of high demand in the summer. The country is working on diversifying its energy mix to meet growing domestic demand. > more
Angola: Despite having vast energy resources, including oil, natural gas, and hydroelectric power, Angola faces power shortages due to underdeveloped infrastructure and economic challenges. > more
Bangladesh: Rapid industrialization and urbanization in Bangladesh have led to a surge in power demand that sometimes exceeds the country’s generation capacity. While considerable strides have been made to expand power infrastructure, periodic outages still occur, especially in rural areas. > more
Belize: Belize faces power supply challenges due to its heavy reliance on imported power and the sporadic nature of its domestic power generation, which is heavily dependent on hydropower and biomass. > more
Benin: Benin faces challenges meeting electricity demand, especially in rural areas. Frequent power outages occur due to underdeveloped infrastructure. > more
Bhutan: Despite its hydroelectric power surplus, Bhutan struggles with delivering electricity to its more remote areas, leading to power shortages. > more
Bolivia: Despite rich natural gas resources, Bolivia sometimes experiences power shortages due to a combination of growing demand and infrastructure challenges. > more
Botswana: Despite being rich in coal resources, Botswana faces power shortages due to underdeveloped infrastructure and growing demand. > more
Brunei: Despite being a significant oil and gas producer, Brunei has occasionally faced power shortages due to increased domestic demand and infrastructure challenges. > more
Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso faces power shortages due to underdeveloped infrastructure, fast-growing demand, and reliance on imported electricity. > more
Burundi: Despite having significant hydroelectric potential, Burundi struggles with power shortages due to infrastructure challenges and a fast-growing population. > more
Cambodia: Although Cambodia has made progress in expanding its power infrastructure, it still grapples with power shortages, particularly in rural areas. The country is investing in hydroelectric and coal-fired power plants to meet growing demand. > more
Central African Republic: The ongoing conflict and instability in the Central African Republic have hindered the development of a reliable electricity infrastructure. Power outages are common, and most of the population lacks access to electricity. > more
Chad: Chad is one of the least electrified countries in the world. The country’s electricity infrastructure is underdeveloped, leading to frequent power outages and limited access to power, especially in rural areas. > more
Congo (Rep of): The Republic of Congo faces electricity generation and distribution challenges, leading to frequent power outages, particularly in rural areas. > more
Cuba: Economic challenges and outdated infrastructure contribute to occasional power shortages in Cuba. > more
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): The DRC struggles with a significant electricity deficit, particularly given its vast size and the logistical challenges of extending the grid to remote regions. Despite having the potential to generate vast amounts of hydroelectric power, a lack of infrastructure and investment means that a large portion of the population cannot access reliable electricity. > more
Djibouti: Djibouti struggles with an unreliable electricity supply and frequent power outages due to its reliance on imported fossil fuels and underdeveloped infrastructure. > more
El Salvador: Despite having a relatively well-developed power sector, El Salvador occasionally experiences power shortages during periods of high demand. > more
Equitorial Guinea: Despite being a significant oil producer, Equatorial Guinea struggles with power shortages due to a lack of infrastructure and difficulties distributing power across its territory. > more
Eritrea: Eritrea faces power shortages due to a lack of infrastructure investment and issues maintaining its existing power plants. > more
Ethiopia: Despite significant hydroelectric potential, Ethiopia struggles to meet growing electricity demand due to a fast-growing population and underdeveloped infrastructure. > more
Gabon: Gabon is rich in oil and mineral resources, but its electricity sector faces challenges due to ageing infrastructure and rapidly increasing demand. > more
Gambia: The Gambia experiences frequent power outages and struggles to meet its electricity demand due to underdeveloped infrastructure and limited domestic energy resources. > more
Ghana: Despite being one of the more developed countries in West Africa, Ghana has faced power generation issues leading to periodic load shedding, primarily due to infrastructural and financial challenges. > more
Guatemala: Guatemala has a mix of hydroelectric, fossil fuel, and renewable energy sources but still struggles with occasional power shortages due to growing demand and infrastructure challenges. > more
Guinea: Guinea has significant hydropower potential but struggles with an underdeveloped power sector. Frequent power outages occur, and a substantial portion of the population lacks access to electricity. > more
Guinea-Bissau: Despite the significant potential for hydroelectric and solar power, Guinea-Bissau struggles with frequent power outages due to underdeveloped infrastructure. > more
Guyana: Guyana has frequent power outages and struggles with an unreliable electricity supply network, though it is trying to develop its renewable energy infrastructure. > more
Haiti: Haiti is one of the least electrified countries in the world. Frequent natural disasters, economic challenges, and weak governance have contributed to a power sector where demand far outstrips supply. > more
Honduras: Despite having substantial renewable resources, Honduras experiences power shortages due to infrastructure challenges and rapidly growing demand. > more
India: While India has made significant strides in increasing its electricity generation capacity and electrifying rural areas, there are still instances of power deficits, particularly during peak demand periods. > more
Iran: While Iran is rich in energy resources, international sanctions, economic challenges, and high domestic consumption have led to periodic electricity shortages, particularly during peak demand periods. > more
Iraq: Despite being rich in oil reserves, Iraq faces an electricity deficit due to underinvestment, insufficient infrastructure, and political challenges. > more
Kenya: While Kenya has made great strides in expanding its electricity grid and developing geothermal energy, demand sometimes outpaces supply, particularly during periods of drought when hydroelectric power generation is affected. > more
Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan, heavily reliant on hydroelectric power, sometimes experiences power shortages during periods of low water availability. > more
Laos: Despite being a net exporter of electricity due to its substantial hydropower resources, Laos faces domestic electricity shortages due to the uneven distribution of its power grid. > more
Lebanon: Lebanon has faced a severe electricity crisis, with residents often accessing state-provided electricity for only a few hours daily. The deficit is due to a combination of factors, including ageing infrastructure, lack of reforms in the energy sector, and political instability. > more
Lesotho: While exporting significant hydroelectric power to South Africa, Lesotho sometimes experiences domestic power shortages. > more
Liberia: Post-conflict Liberia has struggled to rebuild its power infrastructure, and power outages are common. A significant portion of the population lacks access to electricity. > more
Libya: The ongoing conflict and instability in Libya have led to a severely damaged infrastructure, including the electricity network. Frequent power outages are common in the country. > more
Madagascar: Despite rich renewable energy potential, particularly in hydroelectric power, Madagascar’s electricity infrastructure is underdeveloped. The country struggles with frequent power outages, and a significant portion of the population lacks access to electricity. > more
Malawi: Malawi faces regular power outages due to a variety of factors, including underinvestment in infrastructure, reliance on hydroelectric power which is susceptible to drought, and a fast-growing population. > more
Maldives: Given its geographical dispersion, providing a stable electricity supply across all islands in the Maldives is a significant challenge. > more
Mali: Mali is rich in solar energy potential but struggles with an underdeveloped power sector. Frequent power outages occur, and a significant portion of the population lacks access to electricity. > more
Mauritania: Mauritania faces power shortages due to a combination of ageing infrastructure and rapidly increasing demand. The country is investing in renewable energy to help meet its future energy needs. > more
Moldova: Moldova is heavily dependent on imported energy and experiences power shortages, particularly during periods of peak demand. > more
Mongolia: Mongolia experiences power shortages due to a combination of ageing infrastructure and rapidly growing demand, particularly in its fast-growing urban areas. > more
Mozambique: Despite significant resources, including hydroelectric power and natural gas, Mozambique experiences power shortages due to a lack of infrastructure and rapidly increasing demand. > more
Myanmar (Burma): Despite rich natural resources, including hydroelectric potential, Myanmar’s power infrastructure is underdeveloped. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have led to growing electricity demand that often exceeds supply. > more
Namibia: Namibia faces challenges with meeting its electricity demand due to limited domestic generation capacity and a reliance on imports. However, the country is exploring renewable energy options to increase its domestic supply. > more
Nauru: As one of the smallest countries in the world, Nauru struggles with energy independence and often faces electricity supply issues. > more
Nepal: While Nepal has significant hydroelectric potential, issues with infrastructure, investment, and political instability have led to regular load shedding, where power cuts are scheduled to manage the electricity deficit. > more
Nicaragua: While Nicaragua has made strides in developing its renewable energy sector, it still faces power reliability issues due to its ageing grid infrastructure. > more
Niger: Niger has one of the lowest electricity access rates in the world. The country faces significant challenges in expanding its power infrastructure due to its vast desert landscape and sparse population distribution. > more
Nigeria: Despite being Africa’s largest economy and having significant natural gas, hydro and solar resources, Nigeria struggles with a significant energy deficit. The country faces frequent electricity outages and relies heavily on privately-owned generators. > more
North Korea: The secretive state has long struggled with electricity shortages due in part to economic sanctions and a lack of modern, reliable infrastructure. > more
Pakistan: Despite improvements in recent years, Pakistan has faced electricity shortages, particularly during peak usage times in the summer months. This is due to fast-growing demand, insufficient generation capacity, and infrastructure issues. > more
Papua New Guinea: Papua New Guinea faces significant challenges in delivering electricity across its rugged and remote landscape. Power outages are common, and a large portion of the population lacks access to electricity. > more
Paraguay: Although Paraguay generates a surplus of electricity from hydropower, internal distribution networks are less developed, leading to occasional power shortages. > more
Philippines: While the situation has been improving, the Philippines has historically struggled with meeting electricity demand, particularly during peak usage periods and in more remote areas of the country. > more
Rwanda: Rwanda has made significant progress in expanding its electricity access in recent years, but power outages still occur, particularly in rural areas. > more
Senegal: Senegal has made significant strides in expanding its power infrastructure but still struggles with power outages and irregularities, especially during periods of high demand. > more
Sierra Leone: Despite improvements in recent years, Sierra Leone still struggles with an underdeveloped power sector. The country faces regular power outages, and a significant portion of the population lacks access to electricity. > more
Solomon Islands: The Solomon Islands face significant challenges in providing reliable electricity to their scattered island communities. Power outages are common, and a large portion of the population lacks access to electricity. > more
Somalia: Decades of conflict and instability have left Somalia with a severely underdeveloped power infrastructure. Electricity access is limited, and where it does exist, it is often unreliable and expensive. > more
South Africa: South Africa’s national utility, Eskom, has been unable to meet the country’s electricity demand, leading to regular rolling blackouts known as “load shedding”. This is due to ageing infrastructure, insufficient investment, and operational issues. > more
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka sometimes experiences power shortages, particularly during dry seasons when hydroelectric generation capacity is reduced, and demand exceeds supply. > more
Sudan: Sudan has faced electricity shortages, leading to frequent outages, due to a combination of conflict, economic challenges, and under investment in infrastructure. > more
Suriname: Suriname struggles with power shortages due to its reliance on hydroelectric power, which can be affected by seasonal variations in water levels. > more
Swaziland (Eswatini): Eswatini experiences electricity shortages, particularly during peak demand. > more
Syria: The ongoing conflict in Syria has devastated the country’s infrastructure, leading to a significant electricity deficit. > more
Tajikistan: Although Tajikistan has substantial hydropower resources, it experiences electricity shortages, particularly in winter when water levels are low. > more
Tanzania: Tanzania faces power shortages due to a combination of infrastructure challenges, rapidly increasing demand, and dependency on hydroelectric power, which can be unreliable during periods of drought. > more
Timor-Leste (East Timor): Timor-Leste faces significant power generation and distribution challenges due to its underdeveloped infrastructure and remote, mountainous terrain. > more
Togo: Despite efforts to expand electricity access, Togo struggles with frequent power outages, and a significant portion of the population lacks access to electricity. > more
Turkmenistan: Despite having one of the largest natural gas reserves globally, Turkmenistan faces occasional power shortages due to infrastructure and maintenance issues. > more
Uganda: Despite significant renewable energy resources, particularly hydropower and solar, Uganda’s electricity generation capacity is still developing. Power outages are common, and many rural areas lack access to the grid. > more
Venezuela: Political instability, under investment, and operational issues have led to a severe electricity crisis in Venezuela, with regular and prolonged power outages. > more
Yemen: Ongoing conflict and political instability have devastated the country’s infrastructure, leading to chronic electricity shortages and frequent outages. > more
Zambia: Zambia, although rich in hydroelectric potential, faces power shortages due to a combination of droughts, which reduce its hydroelectric power generation, and growing demand. > more
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe faces frequent power outages due to ageing infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and economic challenges. > more
There are, unfortunately, more, but we could not list them all in this post.
To check out the state of the electricity supply in a particular country, please check out the reports in the World Voltage Report section of this website, where we advise the nominal voltages and frequencies along with plug types found in the country. We also try to give you our informed insight into the state, reliability and sustainability of the nation’s electricity generation and transmission networks.
Sinalda UK
All mains-powered equipment requires a supply which is maintained within certain limits. Too low and the equipment will malfunction; too high and the equipment could be seriously damaged. In many developed and developing economies, power demand is outstripping supply, giving rise to large voltage swings, surges and brownouts in the supply.
Whatever your national or international power supply requirements, Sinalda UK can ensure your equipment receives the power it needs to operate efficiently and without interruption. To learn more about Sinalda UK and the power protection solutions we offer please check out the links below:
Sinalda UK – The Informed Choice
Voltage Stabilizers
Power Line Conditioners
