Botswana
BWABotswana is first in the world for coal.
Coal supplies 98% of its electricity.
What this grid depends on
Three measures that say more about a country than how much power it makes. Open “what this means” on any of them if the term is new.
Among the most carbon-heavy electricity anywhere.
What this means
How much planet-warming gas is released to make one unit of electricity. Two countries can generate exactly the same amount and one of them be ten times dirtier doing it. Lower is better.
Botswana depends heavily on its neighbours for power.
What this means
The share of the electricity used here that was generated abroad and carried in over high-voltage lines. The higher it climbs, the more this country relies on a neighbour to keep its lights on.
Also true of Botswana
Botswana generates no hydro electricity at all, in a region built on it.
60% of grids in Africa draw more than a tenth of their power from hydro.
Botswana brings in 27% of the electricity it uses.
Its own power stations cover the rest.
Botswana’s neighbours
Figures are for 2024, the most recent year reported for Botswana. Generation shares are a percentage of electricity generated, not of energy used. How this is calculated.