In Gabon in 2023, almost half of the electricity consumption comes from fossil sources, primarily gas, which accounts for nearly 30% of the consumption. More than 40% of the electricity is generated through low-carbon methods, with hydropower being the primary source, making up an impressive 40% of this clean energy. The rest comes from net imports, contributing slightly more than 15% to the total electricity consumption. This balance suggests that while Gabon has made significant strides in adopting low-carbon energy through hydropower, there remains a considerable reliance on fossil energy that needs to be addressed to further reduce carbon emissions.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Gabon?
The electricity consumption in Gabon per person has seen a minor decline from its historic peak. In 2022, the consumption was 1535 kWh per person but dropped slightly to 1517 kWh per person in 2023. This indicates a small setback in overall electricity usage. The situation is more concerning for low-carbon electricity, where the current generation stands at 616 kWh per person, which is notably lower than the 817 kWh record from 1985. This decline of over 200 kWh per person in low-carbon generation is a worrying trend given the pressing need for sustainable energy solutions in light of climate change concerns.
Suggestions
Gabon can sustainably increase its electricity generation by learning from regions that have successfully harnessed various low-carbon energy sources. Drawing inspiration from countries such as France and Slovakia, which generate over 65% of their electricity from nuclear power, Gabon could explore developing its nuclear capacity to provide a reliable and clean energy source. Simultaneously, investing in solar energy as observed in Nevada and Lebanon, where solar power contributes to over 30% of electricity, could be advantageous given Gabon's geographical potential for harnessing solar energy. By leveraging both nuclear and solar power, Gabon can significantly enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Looking at the history of low-carbon electricity in Gabon, the focus has predominantly been on hydropower. From the early 1980s through the 2000s, hydropower saw minor but sporadic increases. However, occasional years experienced no growth or slight declines, such as in 2005 and 2011. The biggest positive shift happened fairly recently in 2019 with a notable increase. Despite these fluctuations, there’s a pattern of reliance on hydropower which while beneficial, highlights the need for diversification. Moving forward, a more diverse mix including nuclear and solar energy could provide greater stability and growth in Gabon's clean electricity generation.
