As of 2022, Guinea's total electricity consumption was approximately 3 TWh, with low-carbon energy sources contributing more than half of this total. Hydropower alone accounted for nearly 2 TWh, while other unspecified low-carbon sources added an additional 0.02 TWh. On the other hand, fossil fuels contributed just over 1 TWh to the electricity mix. This amount of electricity generation translates to roughly 226 watts per person, significantly lower than the global average of 3606 watts per person. Low levels of electricity generation can hinder economic development, reduce quality of life, and limit access to critical services such as healthcare and education.
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Guinea could look to successful examples from around the world. For instance, Brazil has managed to generate close to 100 TWh from wind energy, an approach that could be emulated given Guinea's geographical similarities and wind potential. Similarly, countries like India (with 125 TWh from solar) and Vietnam (with 27 TWh from solar) demonstrate how scalable and beneficial solar energy projects can be in regions with abundant sunlight. Additionally, investing in nuclear energy could be a strategic move, as seen in countries like South Korea, which generates 177 TWh from nuclear power. These strategies can help mitigate the negative impacts of fossil fuels like climate change and air pollution.
Guinea's history of low-carbon electricity generation, particularly from hydro, has seen various fluctuations over the decades. Starting from a minor increase of 0.1 TWh in 1983, there were long periods of minimal growth and occasional declines. Notably, in the early 2000s, Guinea experienced setbacks, including a 0.2 TWh decrease in 2003 and another in 2011. However, from 2015 onwards, there were more significant positive changes, such as an increase of 0.5 TWh in 2015 and 0.6 TWh in 2019. The most substantial boost came in 2020, with an addition of 1.2 TWh, showcasing the potential for rapid growth in hydropower. Though there was a minor setback of -0.5 TWh in 2021, the trend still indicates a growing capacity in low-carbon electricity.