In 2023, Gabon's electricity consumption is divided mainly between fossil and low-carbon energy sources. Fossil energy accounts for a significant portion, approximately 44%, with gas contributing nearly 30% of this. On the low-carbon side, hydropower is the dominant source, providing about 40% of the total electricity consumption. This composition means that Gabon is relying heavily on both fossil fuels and hydropower, with hydropower being the main clean energy source. The country also depends on net imports for about 15% of its electricity needs. While it's promising to see that more than half of Gabon's electricity is derived from clean sources and imports rather than dominated by fossil fuels, there's still room for improvement to further reduce reliance on fossil-generated electricity.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Gabon?
Examining the recent trends, it appears that electricity consumption in Gabon is currently experiencing a slight decline. In 2023, electricity consumption per person was 1517 kWh, which is slightly lower than the previous year's record of 1535 kWh. This change marks a decrease of 17 kWh per person, signaling a minor yet noticeable downturn. Furthermore, low-carbon electricity generation tells a similar story. Previously, in 1985, Gabon generated 817 kWh per person from low-carbon sources, which has now decreased by 201 kWh in 2023 to a total of 616 kWh per person. While the drop may seem modest, it is concerning in the context of global trends toward increasing both overall and clean electricity consumption to address issues like climate change.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Gabon could look at successful regions that have excelled in deploying nuclear and solar energy. Countries like France and Slovakia have achieved high shares of low-carbon electricity by investing heavily in nuclear power, with nuclear contributing 67% or more of their electricity. Equally, the success of solar energy in countries like Lebanon, where it accounts for 31% of electricity, offers a pathway for Gabon as well. While hydropower remains Gabon's most significant clean source, expanding into solar and considering nuclear could diversify and stabilize its clean electricity supply. Gabon can draw from these examples, ensuring a robust and sustainable mix of energy sources that support increased future demand and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which are harmful to the environment and public health.
History
Historically, hydropower has been the cornerstone of Gabon's low-carbon electricity generation, with most of the activity centered around modest increments. In the early 1980s, there was steady growth with an increase of 0.1 TWh annually observed in several separate years, such as 1981, 1982, and 1984. After these initial increases, the late 20th century saw slower progress, with periods like 1995 and 1997 showing no change in hydropower output. Moving into the 21st century, annual changes were minor, with some fluctuations, such as the minor decline in 2005 and the following recovery in the subsequent years. Notably, 2021 marked an exceptional increase of 0.4 TWh, reflecting a more substantial development compared to previous years. Although there have been periods of stagnation, the more recent increase highlights Gabon's potential to enhance its hydropower capabilities as part of a broader strategy to improve its clean electricity portfolio.
