As of 2023, Equatorial Guinea's electricity generation is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, comprising about 69% of its energy mix, with gas being nearly all of this fossil contribution. Meanwhile, low-carbon energy accounts for a smaller portion, about 31%, sourced entirely from hydropower. This imbalance highlights a significant dependence on fossil fuels over clean energy alternatives, such as solar or nuclear power, which are critical to cutting down carbon emissions and advancing sustainable development.
Is Electricity Growing in Equatorial Guinea?
When it comes to electricity consumption in Equatorial Guinea, recent trends show a decline, raising concerns. Electricity usage per capita has dropped from 928 kWh in 2016 to 850 kWh in 2023. This represents a reduction of 78 kWh per person. The contraction also extends to low-carbon electricity generation, which has seen a decline from its peak of 323 kWh per person in 2015 to 265 kWh in 2023, marking a reduction of 58 kWh per person. This trend is disheartening, as increasing consumption is essential for economic growth and improving living standards.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Equatorial Guinea could draw lessons from regions successfully integrating solar and nuclear energy. For instance, France and Slovakia lead in nuclear energy generation, producing more than 60% of their electricity from this source due to effective policies and infrastructure. Regions like Lebanon and Chile demonstrate the potential of solar energy, with significant contributions of 31% and 23% to their electricity mix, respectively. By investing in nuclear and solar infrastructures, Equatorial Guinea can significantly increase its low-carbon electricity generation, thus enhancing its energy security and reducing carbon emissions.
History
Historically, Equatorial Guinea's low-carbon electricity generation has been relatively stagnant, with hydropower being the only significant source. This pattern remained constant for decades until a slight increase in generation occurred between 2012 and 2015, with marginal annual increases of 0.1 to 0.2 TWh. However, this growth hasn't progressed over the last few years, as no additional gains in low-carbon energy generation were recorded from 2017 to 2023. This stagnation is worrying given the global shift towards sustainable energy sources, emphasizing the need for aggressive investment in other low-carbon technologies such as solar and nuclear energy.