Share of electricity production by source in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Share of electricity production by source was 24.7% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Share of electricity production by source in Sierra Leone, 2000–2021
Source: IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, IEA, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of total.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of electricity production by source in Sierra Leone is 24.7%, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 91.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of electricity production by source in Sierra Leone peaked at 93.9% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 12.6%, in 2010.
That places Sierra Leone 159th out of 208 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of electricity production by source in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % of total | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 65.2% | — |
| 2001 | 66.7% | +2.2% |
| 2002 | 83.3% | +25.0% |
| 2003 | 83.3% | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 82.5% | -1.0% |
| 2005 | 75.9% | -7.9% |
| 2006 | 79.7% | +5.0% |
| 2007 | 81.1% | +1.8% |
| 2008 | 93.9% | +15.8% |
| 2009 | 64.9% | -30.8% |
| 2010 | 12.6% | -80.6% |
| 2011 | 12.9% | +2.4% |
| 2012 | 26.1% | +102.4% |
| 2013 | 38.0% | +45.5% |
| 2014 | 17.4% | -54.1% |
| 2015 | 25.3% | +44.8% |
| 2016 | 25.8% | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 24.8% | -3.8% |
| 2018 | 24.7% | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 24.7% | -0.0% |
| 2020 | 24.7% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 24.7% | -0.0% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 24.7% is below the median for low income countries, which is 42.6%, 58% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 24.7% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 67.1%, 37% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Share of electricity production by source in Sierra Leone changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | +102.4% | 12.9% | 26.1% |
| 2010 | -80.6% | 64.9% | 12.6% |
| 2014 | -54.1% | 38.0% | 17.4% |
| 2013 | +45.5% | 26.1% | 38.0% |
| 2015 | +44.8% | 17.4% | 25.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 77.7% | 64.9% | 93.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 23.2% | 12.6% | 38.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 24.7% | 24.7% | 24.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More energy & mining data for Sierra Leone
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 3.19 % change on previous year (2024)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fuel imports 1.1% (2018)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of electricity production by source in Sierra Leone?
- Share of electricity production by source in Sierra Leone was 24.7% in 2021, according to IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, IEA, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of electricity production by source recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 93.9% in 2008.
- What is the lowest share of electricity production by source recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.6% in 2010.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for share of electricity production by source?
- Sierra Leone ranks 159th out of 208 countries with data for 2021.
- Is share of electricity production by source rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is up 91.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, IEA, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of electricity production by source. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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