In 2023, Guinea’s electricity consumption totaled about 4 TWh. Roughly three-quarters came from low-carbon sources: 3.03 TWh, almost entirely hydropower. Fossil fuels supplied the remaining quarter, about 1 TWh. Despite this strong clean electricity share, consumption was just 281 kWh per person—around 7% of the global average of 3,794 kWh, or roughly thirteen times lower. Such limited electricity availability can constrain healthcare, education, industrial development and household living standards. Expanding clean electricity would help address these needs while limiting the climate change and air pollution associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Guinea?

Electricity consumption per person is not currently growing in Guinea. The 2023 level of 281 kWh remained slightly below the 2022 record of 285 kWh—a decline of roughly 1%. Low-carbon electricity generation per person also slipped, from its 2022 record of 212 kWh to 210 kWh in 2023. These small setbacks are concerning given Guinea’s already low electricity availability. The figures indicate stalled progress per person, rather than necessarily a decline in total electricity generation, and underline the need for sustained expansion to support development and future demand from electrification and digital services.

Suggestions

Guinea can build on its hydropower foundation by expanding solar electricity, developing suitable wind resources and considering nuclear power as part of a long-term clean electricity strategy. South Africa offers a relevant African example, generating about 20 TWh from solar, 12 TWh from wind and 12 TWh from nuclear. Brazil, another useful reference for combining hydropower with other clean sources, generates about 85 TWh from solar and 111 TWh from wind. Guinea could learn from these regions’ deployment experience while adapting projects to local conditions. For nuclear development, France’s roughly 379 TWh and Pakistan’s 22 TWh demonstrate substantial contributions from this low-carbon source; partnerships, workforce training, institutional capacity and grid expansion would help Guinea explore its own pathway.

History

Guinea’s recorded low-carbon electricity history is dominated by hydropower, with modest gains followed by much stronger expansion. Generation increased by 0.1 TWh in 1983, in both 1997 and 1999, and again in 2001. The 2000s then brought fluctuations: a 0.2 TWh decline in 2003 was reversed in 2004, followed by a smaller decline in 2005 and recovery in 2007. The early 2010s saw stagnation and small reversals, but growth accelerated with a 0.5 TWh increase in 2015 and further gains in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Expansion continued with 0.2 TWh in 2020, an exceptional 1.2 TWh in 2021 and another 0.3 TWh in 2022. Hydropower generation was unchanged in 2023, making renewed clean electricity growth an important priority.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade