In French Guiana, electricity consumption is largely dominated by low-carbon energy sources. More than half of the electricity generated here, approximately 71%, comes from low-carbon sources. Hydropower is the leading contributor, accounting for over 60% of the total electricity production. Solar and biofuels each contribute modestly, around 5%, to the total energy mix. Fossil energy makes up close to 29%, highlighting a significant reliance on low-carbon options. This energy mix positions French Guiana well in terms of maintaining a sustainable approach to electricity production, but there is room for further improvements by reducing fossil fuel usage.
Is Electricity Growing in French Guiana?
The electricity consumption per person in French Guiana has seen some shifts over the years. In 2022, the average consumption was about 3286 kWh per person, which is a decline of 377 kWh compared to the record set in 2012. This downward trend might be concerning, as it suggests a stagnation or even a reduction in the electrification and overall adoption of electricity-dependent technologies, such as AI. Additionally, low-carbon electricity generation per capita in 2022 was 2347 kWh, down from the 2006 record of 2607 kWh. This decrease in low-carbon electricity generation is worrisome and points to a need for enhanced efforts to grow clean energy capacities.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, French Guiana could look to international examples of successful clean energy integration. Countries like Greece and Lebanon have made significant strides with solar energy, achieving 26% and 31% of their electricity from solar, respectively. Incorporating more solar energy could mirror these successes. Meanwhile, learning from regions successfully leveraging nuclear power, such as France and Slovakia, which generate about 69% and 64% of their electricity from nuclear sources, respectively, can provide a robust pathway for French Guiana to deepen its commitment to low-carbon electricity. Considering the success of these regions in combining solar and nuclear energy, French Guiana has a viable template for enhancing its domestic low-carbon infrastructure to sustain and potentially increase its electricity generation levels.
History
Over the past decades, French Guiana has experienced fluctuations in its low-carbon electricity production. In the early 2000s, hydropower saw a series of minor ups and downs but effectively remained stable. The year 2010 witnessed a brief uptick, but the following years, particularly between 2009 and 2013, marked minor variations, with some negligible declines. Since then, the hydropower production has largely steadied with slight increases post-2016. Solar power emerged on the scene in 2011 but hasn't shown substantial growth. The steady presence of biofuels, as observed in 2021, indicates consistency in this segment but doesn't overshadow the need for ramping up investments in solar and nuclear energy. French Guiana's history emphasizes the need to propel its low-carbon electricity trajectory to align with global trends towards sustainable energy.