In 2023, Equatorial Guinea's electricity consumption heavily relies on fossil energy, with almost 69% of its electricity generated from gas. This represents more than two-thirds of the country's energy mix, highlighting a significant dependence on fossil fuels. Conversely, low-carbon energy sources, represented entirely by hydropower, contribute around 31% to the electricity mix. While hydropower can be a clean energy source, the current distribution suggests that Equatorial Guinea is missing out on diversifying its low-carbon energy portfolio by not harnessing other clean energy technologies like solar or nuclear.
Is Electricity Growing in Equatorial Guinea?
Looking at the trend in electricity consumption per person, there's a noticeable decline. The latest data from 2023 shows a consumption of 850 kWh per person, down from the previous high of 928 kWh in 2016. This reduction, equivalent to a drop of about 78 kWh per person, signifies that electricity use has not been growing, in fact, it has diminished over this period. Moreover, low-carbon electricity consumption has also decreased, sliding from a peak of 323 kWh per person in 2015 to 265 kWh today. This 58 kWh drop indicates missed opportunities in scaling up clean energy sources which could have supported a more sustainable growth in consumption.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Equatorial Guinea can learn from countries that have successfully harnessed solar and nuclear energy. Nations like France and Slovakia have achieved impressive proportions of their electricity from nuclear power, with percentages of 68% and 62%, respectively. While nuclear might not be the first step for Equatorial Guinea, it's essential to consider it for long-term planning. Smaller-scale solar implementations can be inspired by countries like Lebanon, where solar contributes to 31% of electricity generation. Cape Verde, closer geographically, shows potential pathways with 14% of its electricity coming from both solar and wind technologies. Expanding solar capacity, given abundant sunlight, could significantly increase Equatorial Guinea's low-carbon electricity share, reducing its dependency on gas and helping to mitigate the adverse effects of fossil fuels on climate and health.
History
Historically, Equatorial Guinea's investment in low-carbon electricity started to show momentum in the early 2010s, particularly with hydropower. Between 2012 and 2015, minor but positive increments were recorded, peaking in 2014 with an addition of 0.2 TWh. However, from 2017 onwards, there has been stagnation, with no recorded growth in hydropower up to 2023. This lack of advancement is concerning, particularly as the global trend moves towards increasing clean energy capacity. The standstill suggests an urgent need for Equatorial Guinea to renew efforts to develop its sustainable energy infrastructure, drawing experiences from both regional and international practices. Transitioning towards a diversified mix, including solar and potentially nuclear, is imperative for revitalizing the country's clean energy outlook and ensuring future energy security.