In 2023, electricity consumption in Equatorial Guinea shows a distinct reliance on fossil fuels, with close to seventy percent of electricity generated from gas. In contrast, low-carbon sources account for more than thirty percent of electricity generation, all of which is produced through hydropower. This mix highlights a substantial imbalance where fossil fuel, particularly gas, remains the dominant source of electricity, while clean energy sources have yet to diversify beyond hydropower. The prominence of fossil energy contributes to environmental concerns such as air pollution and climate change, emphasizing the need for a shift towards more sustainable and clean energy solutions.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Equatorial Guinea?
The current state of electricity consumption growth in Equatorial Guinea is concerning, given the decline from previous records. As of 2023, total electricity consumption per person has decreased to 850 kWh, compared to the record of 1209 kWh per person in 2014. Similarly, the generation of low-carbon electricity has fallen to 265 kWh per person, down from 390 kWh per person in 2015. This drop signifies a stagnation in the country's electricity growth and poses a hurdle for future economic development and environmental sustainability. It urges a proactive approach towards increasing both overall electricity consumption and the share of clean energy to support the growing demands of electrification and technological advancements.
Suggestions
To bolster the generation of low-carbon electricity, Equatorial Guinea can learn from successful regions that have significantly increased their shares of clean energy through solar, wind, and, particularly, nuclear energy. Countries such as France and Slovakia have achieved impressive outputs with more than sixty percent of electricity from nuclear sources. Moreover, Uruguay's focus on wind energy provides a compelling model for Equatorial Guinea to consider, particularly due to its relevance to Equatorial Guinea's similar potential for developing wind-based systems. Despite the absence of nuclear energy in present-day Equatorial Guinea, taking lessons from these regions, it is imperative to explore diverse clean electricity avenues like solar and nuclear to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and fulfill future electricity needs.
History
Looking at the historical data of low-carbon electricity in Equatorial Guinea, it becomes evident that hydropower was static for many years, persisting without change from 1991 until 2011. This period of stagnation was followed by a marginal increase between 2012 and 2015, with some moderate gains, although these were unfortunately undone by subsequent years of fluctuations and minor declines. The lack of growth until recent years underscores a missed opportunity in capitalizing on clean energy expansion—a crucial area to address both environmentally and economically. Moving forward, Equatorial Guinea must prioritize the development of new low-carbon technology and harness its potential for solar and nuclear expansion to ensure a sustainable and prosperous energy future.
