In 2022, Guinea-Bissau's electricity consumption is notably low, with more than two-thirds of its electricity coming from fossil energy sources, contributing significantly to environmental pollution and climate change. Low-carbon energy, which includes both solar and wind sources, represents a minimal fraction of the country's energy mix, indicating a crucial area for development. This scenario is starkly contrasted with the global average electricity consumption of 3606 watts per person, highlighting Guinea-Bissau's struggles with insufficient electricity generation. The impacts of such low levels of power availability are profound, potentially hindering economic growth, affecting health services, and limiting educational opportunities for its population.
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Guinea-Bissau can draw inspiration from several countries, particularly those with successful implementations of wind and solar power. Brazil and India, both characterized by significant economic and environmental similarities to Guinea-Bissau, have made commendable strides in wind and solar energy production, generating 97 TWh and 125 TWh respectively from these sources. Learning from Brazil's wind energy infrastructure and India's notable advances in solar technology and policies could be invaluable. Emphasizing the development of solar fields and wind farms can lead to substantial transformations in Guinea-Bissau's energy sector, aligning with global trends toward sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Historically, Guinea-Bissau has not seen significant developments or changes in its low-carbon electricity production. While there are no documented increases or decreases from sources like solar or wind, the data suggests a consistent reliance on traditional energy sources. In the last few decades of the 21st century, Guinea-Bissau has maintained a steady but low level of renewable energy output. This suggests an opportunity for renewal and investment in clean energy technologies, which could drastically alter the landscape of electricity generation in the country, leading to improved energy security, economic development, and environmental benefits. Moving forward, aligning energy policies with the successful frameworks of countries like Brazil and India could guide Guinea-Bissau towards a future of sustainable energy independence.