Senegal - Energy and power

Electric power generation is almost entirely thermal. Installed capacity was 235,000 kW in 2001. Production in 2000 totaled1.32 billion kWh, of which 100% was from fossil fuels. Consumption of electricity in 2000 was 1.2 billion kWh. As of 2002, Senegal was planning to expand power supplies by 44% in towns and 95% in rural areas, with electrification plans for more than 150 towns.

The extent of Senegal's oil and natural gas reserves, despite sporadic exploration since the 1950s, are not well known. The Dome Flore field off the southern coast, discovered by French oil producer Total in 1960, has estimated reserves of 700 million barrels of heavy crude oil. About 150 wells have been drilled, but the only commercial discoveries are limited to small natural gas fields east of Dakar. There are also extensive reserves of peat along the coast between Dakar and Saint-Louis. An oil refinery near Dakar, which had a capacity of 17,000 barrels per day as of 2002, produces petroleum products from imported crude oil. As of early 2002 natural gas reserves totaled three billion cu m. Natural gas production in 1998 totaled 40 million cu m.