In Guinea, the current state of electricity consumption highlights a substantial reliance on low-carbon energy sources. The country's total electricity generation amounts to approximately 4.05 TWh. With more than three-quarters of this consumption derived from hydropower, a significant component of clean energy, the remainder is generated using fossil fuels. Despite the positive inclination towards sustainable energy, Guinea's electricity consumption per person is only about 281 kWh annually, which is considerably lower than the global average of 3649 kWh per person. Such levels could hinder both economic growth and quality of life improvements, limiting access to education, healthcare, and technology due to inadequate power availability.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Guinea?
Examining electricity growth trends in Guinea reveals a worrisome stagnation in overall electricity consumption as well as low-carbon electricity output. The recent data points show a slight decline from the 2022 figures, with a decrease of 3 kWh/person in total electricity and 2 kWh/person in low-carbon electricity generation. This downward trend indicates challenges in expanding energy infrastructure or possibly efficiency issues within the existing systems. Guinea has experienced no discernible growth in these sectors, highlighting the urgent need for strategic actions to better leverage its energy potential and develop its electricity generation capabilities.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Guinea can draw valuable lessons from other regions. For instance, China's impressive developments in solar and wind energy demonstrate the potential of solar infrastructure, with their solar generation reaching 1114 TWh. Additionally, nuclear energy, as evidenced by the United States and countries like France, offers an abundant and reliable source of carbon-free power, with the U.S. generating 778 TWh from nuclear sources. Emulating such strategies, particularly a diversified mix that includes solar and nuclear power, could significantly transform Guinea's energy landscape, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels and fostering economic development through enhanced electricity supply.
History
Historically, Guinea's low-carbon electricity story has predominantly revolved around hydropower, with modest yet consistent increments over several decades. The early 1980s saw minor improvements, while more significant enhancements came in the mid-2010s and 2020s, marked by notable increases in hydropower output. The year 2021 was particularly impactful with an increase of 1.2 TWh. However, recent years, including 2023, witnessed no significant change. This historical reliance solely on hydropower suggests an opportunity for a broader adoption of diverse clean energy technologies, specifically solar and nuclear, to ensure consistent growth in sustainable electricity generation.
