Energy Mix in Contrasting Settings Case Study

Question 1

Niger:
Energy Mix and Consumption
Reasons for this energy mix

Answer 1

• 77% of primary energy is from biomass.
• Only 20% have access to electricity.
• 500,000 tonnes of uranium reserves, but don’t have the wealth/technology for nuclear energy.
• 82% of energy consumed by household.
• Potential for harnessing HEP from Niger river - in 2025.
• Little use needed for energy, only really needed for cooking and heating, so firewood is better.
• Poor, unable to develop without help from World Bank.

Question 2

Iceland:
Energy Mix and consumption
Reasons for this energy mix

Answer 2

• Highest energy consumption per capita.
• Lowest carbon emitters, fossil fuels only used for transport.
• Straddles plate margin so have abundance of geothermal energy.
• Mountainous with a plentiful water supply so potential energy from HEP.
• Advanced country with small population, so can afford technology to harness more energy types.
• 21% HEP, 67% Geothermal, 12% Fossil Fuels.

Question 3

France:
Energy Mix and consumption
Reasons for this energy mix

Answer 3

• 40% primary energy from nuclear energy.
• 72% electricity from nuclear, able to export it.
• French government developed nuclear after 1970s oil price rise.
• Shortage of fossil fuel reserves.
• Physical conditions suitable for nuclear (large rivers for cooling).
• Many reactors reaching end of their lifetime, so France started transitioning under the Energy and Climate Change Law 2019 to non-hydro renewable technology.