Guinea-Bissau’s electricity consumption was just 38 kWh per person in 2022—about 1% of the global average of 3,853 kWh per person, or roughly 100 times lower. Reported low-carbon electricity generation was zero per person, highlighting the absence of a measurable domestic clean electricity contribution. A detailed supply breakdown was not provided, so the shares supplied by fossil fuels and electricity imports cannot be established. Such limited electricity availability can constrain healthcare, education, refrigeration, business activity and access to digital services. Expanding clean electricity would help meet these essential needs without increasing the air pollution and climate impacts associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Guinea-Bissau?

The available figures do not show sustained electricity growth in Guinea-Bissau. Consumption in 2022 was 6 kWh per person below the previous record of 44 kWh in 2016—a decline of about 14% from that peak. This comparison does not establish whether consumption rose or fell in 2022 alone, but it shows that the country had not regained its earlier high. Low-carbon generation also showed no progress: its latest reported level of zero kWh per person matched the record reported for 2000. This stagnation is concerning when substantially more electricity is needed for wider access, electrification and future economic development.

Suggestions

Guinea-Bissau could prioritize solar electricity through both grid-connected projects and local mini-grids, supported by storage and stronger distribution networks. Among the listed regions, South Africa offers an African reference, generating about 19 TWh from solar, while tropical Brazil generated about 88 TWh. Their experience could inform project procurement, workforce training and grid integration, although their much larger output should not be treated as a direct target for Guinea-Bissau. Wind could complement solar where local measurements identify suitable sites. Nuclear should also be considered in long-term electricity planning, including regional cooperation: South Africa generated about 11 TWh from nuclear, demonstrating an African example of this clean electricity source. International partnerships could help Guinea-Bissau develop the institutions and expertise needed to assess future nuclear opportunities.

History

The supplied historical information is limited: although the request refers to annual changes by electricity source, no year-by-year historical entries were included. The available benchmarks show reported low-carbon generation of zero kWh per person in both 2000 and 2022, with no increase between those endpoints. They do not establish what happened in every intervening year or support a decade-by-decade account. The clearest conclusion is that Guinea-Bissau had not established a measurable low-carbon electricity contribution by 2022, underscoring the importance of beginning sustained clean electricity growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade