Global GridSão Tomé and Principe's energy mix and electricity
🇸🇹 In 2023, São Tomé and Principe generated 0.09 TWh of electricity. The largest source was oil and other fossil fuels at 89%, followed by hydro (11%). In total, 11% came from low-carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) and 89% from fossil fuels.
On average, each kilowatt hour produced about 556 grams of carbon dioxide (CO₂), above the world average of 458 grams in 2025.
Electricity demand was 0.09 TWh. Its electricity imports and exports were roughly in balance.
Since 2000, electricity generation has grown by 200%, from 0.03 TWh. The low-carbon share went from 33% to 11%. The biggest rise was in oil and other fossil fuels, from 67% to 89% of generation. The biggest fall was in hydro, from 33% to 11%. Carbon intensity rose from 333 to 556 grams per kWh.
Live, hour-by-hour figures for São Tomé and Principe are not connected yet. The dashboard shows its yearly figures, energy mix since 2000 and interconnector trade.
Energy mix in 2023
- Oil and other fossil fuels 89%
- Hydro 11%
| Source | Share | Generated |
|---|---|---|
| Oil and other fossil fuels | 89% | 0.08 TWh |
| Hydro | 11% | 0.01 TWh |
Energy security score
Vulnerable. It is not ranked because its power system is very small. The score shows how well a country could keep electricity affordable and on if fuel supplies were disrupted. It is based on 4 of the 5 measures.
| Measure | Score |
|---|---|
| Produces its own energy No reliable figure exists for São Tomé and Principe, so this measure is left out and the other four count for more. | n/a |
| Variety of power sources How evenly generation is spread across nine sources. The largest, oil and other fossil fuels, made 89%. | 22 |
| Little reliance on imported power São Tomé and Principe exported more electricity than it imported, so it scores full marks. | 100 |
| Low-carbon power Nuclear and renewables made 11% of generation. | 11 |
| Low gas and oil use Gas and oil made 89% of generation; the score is 100 minus that share. | 11 |
The five measures are weighted 30%, 20%, 20%, 15% and 15%. How the score works.
How it has changed
| Year | Generated | Low-carbon | Fossil | CO₂ g/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0.03 TWh | 33% | 67% | 333 |
| 2005 | 0.04 TWh | 0% | 100% | 750 |
| 2010 | 0.05 TWh | 0% | 100% | 600 |
| 2015 | 0.10 TWh | 10% | 90% | 600 |
| 2020 | 0.11 TWh | 9% | 91% | 636 |
| 2022 | 0.09 TWh | 11% | 89% | 556 |
| 2023 | 0.09 TWh | 11% | 89% | 556 |
Questions about São Tomé and Principe's energy
What is São Tomé and Principe's energy mix?
In 2023, São Tomé and Principe's electricity came from oil and other fossil fuels 89% and hydro 11%.
How much of São Tomé and Principe's electricity is renewable?
11% of its electricity came from renewables in 2023 (hydro 11%).
What is São Tomé and Principe's main source of electricity?
Oil and other fossil fuels, which made 89% of its electricity in 2023.
How clean is São Tomé and Principe's electricity?
About 556 grams of CO₂ for each kilowatt hour in 2023, above the world average of 458 grams.
Does São Tomé and Principe import electricity?
Its imports and exports were roughly in balance in 2023.
How secure is São Tomé and Principe's energy supply?
Global Grid's energy security score for São Tomé and Principe is 40 out of 100 (vulnerable). It looks at how much of its own energy it produces, how varied its power sources are, its reliance on imported power and its use of low-carbon power, gas and oil.
Other countries in Africa
Sources: Ember yearly electricity data (CC BY 4.0), figures up to 2023. Ember's latest-year figures are first estimates and may be revised. TWh: terawatt hours (one billion kWh).