In 2023, Equatorial Guinea's electricity landscape is dominated by fossil fuels, with gas accounting for nearly 69% of the total electricity generation. The remaining portion comes from low-carbon sources, with hydropower contributing almost a third of the total electricity. This places Equatorial Guinea in a position where it relies heavily on fossil energy, posing challenges for sustainability and environmental impact due to associated emissions. The significant reliance on hydropower as the sole low-carbon electricity source limits diversifying into other clean technologies such as solar and nuclear.
Is Electricity Growing in Equatorial Guinea?
Turning towards electricity consumption trends, the country has witnessed a decline in per capita electricity consumption since its peak years. In 2023, the average consumption per person was 850 kWh, which shows a decrease from the 2016 record of 928 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per person declined from its highest level of 323 kWh in 2015 to 265 kWh in 2023. This reduction is concerning as it indicates a move away from the advancement in clean energy implementation and could have broader implications for Equatorial Guinea's electricity security and sustainable development path.
Suggestions
To address the challenges and grow clean electricity, Equatorial Guinea can draw inspiration from regions successfully implementing diverse low-carbon strategies. For instance, harnessing solar energy could be a viable option, with countries like Namibia and Chile demonstrating solar power's potential contributing around 11% and 22% respectively. Similarly, the adoption of nuclear power, as seen in France, where it contributes 68% to their electricity mix, provides a robust framework for a stable and sustainable electricity supply. Pairing these strategies with wind energy, as effectively implemented in countries such as Denmark at 27%, could highly benefit Equatorial Guinea by diversifying energy sources and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
History
Historically, the development of low-carbon electricity in Equatorial Guinea has been limited to hydropower, with no recorded changes between 1991 and 2023, except for gradual increments between 2012 and 2015. These modest advancements have not continued in recent years, evidencing a plateau in progress. The stagnation since 2017 is disappointing as it suggests missed opportunities for expanding green electricity. Embracing new technologies and learning from international successes could help invigorate Equatorial Guinea's clean energy profile, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient electricity future.