Electricity in Equatorial Guinea in 2022

Equatorial Guinea's electricity consumption in 2022 was predominantly dependent on fossil fuels, which accounted for more than two-thirds of the total electricity generation. This reliance was primarily on gas, which made up almost the entire fossil fuel share. On the other hand, low-carbon energy sources contributed to less than a third of the electricity mix, with hydropower being the sole provider in this category. Nearly one-third of Equatorial Guinea's electricity came from hydropower, showcasing a positive step towards clean energy, yet the country still has significant room for improvement in diversifying its energy portfolio with more sustainable and low-carbon sources.

Suggestions

To advance its low-carbon electricity generation, Equatorial Guinea can draw inspiration from innovations in other countries. For instance, Uruguay has successfully harnessed wind energy to power over a third of its electricity needs, indicating the potential for similarly situated countries to utilize wind resources. Additionally, countries like Greece have realized substantial solar capacities, powering roughly a fifth to a quarter of their electricity needs through solar energy. For further clean energy growth, Equatorial Guinea can also consider the proven efficiency and reliability of nuclear energy, as demonstrated in countries like France and Slovakia where nuclear energy constitutes a major share of their electricity production. The experiences of these countries highlight the possibility of integrating diverse low-carbon technologies to build a robust and sustainable electricity infrastructure.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity development in Equatorial Guinea reveals a focus solely on hydropower since the early 1990s. Until 2012, additions to hydropower capacity were minimal, with zero change recorded annually for two decades. The years between 2012 and 2015 marked a period of incremental growth, with modest increases of 0.1 to 0.2 TWh in hydropower generation. However, from 2017 onward, the growth stalled once again, with no additional net capacity added up to 2022. This indicates that while the initial steps towards adopting low-carbon energy in Equatorial Guinea were taken, substantial ongoing development has not been achieved. The lack of further progress underlines the necessity for strategic investment in broader low-carbon technologies such as solar, wind, and nuclear to meet future electricity needs sustainably.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources