Electricity in Guyana in 2023
Guyana's current electricity consumption is overwhelmingly reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 90% of its electricity being generated from these non-sustainable sources. Low-carbon electricity sources such as biofuels and solar contribute to slightly under 7% of the total mix. Breaking it down, biofuels account for slightly more than 5% and solar energy represents close to 1.5%. With the large majority of electricity coming from fossil energy, there is immense potential and need for Guyana to transition towards cleaner electricity sources. Fossil fuels contribute to climate change and air pollution, so increasing the share of low-carbon energy, like solar and potentially nuclear, is crucial for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Guyana?
The growth of electricity consumption in Guyana is evident, with a rise from 1,546 kWh/person in 2022 to 1,622 kWh/person in 2023, representing an increase of 76 kWh/person. Encouragingly, low-carbon electricity is also seeing a positive change and has grown significantly from a previous record low of 25 kWh/person in 2021 to 109 kWh/person in 2023. This progress indicates an increase of 84 kWh/person, reflecting a promising shift towards cleaner electricity generation. While this progress is commendable, the journey towards a more substantial share of low-carbon electricity in Guyana is still in its early stages and requires further enhancement.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Guyana can take several lessons from successful regions around the world. Countries such as Lebanon and Hungary, which have achieved significant percentages of solar-based electricity at around 31% and 23% respectively, can serve as an inspiration for expanding solar capacity. Additionally, considering nuclear energy's immense benefit, as demonstrated by France (69% nuclear) and Slovakia (67% nuclear), Guyana should explore incorporating nuclear energy into its electricity mix alongside solar. Adopting a balanced mix of solar and nuclear initiatives, similar to successful countries, would be beneficial for sustainable growth and ensuring energy security.
History
Historically, the change in low-carbon electricity generation in Guyana has been minimal. Between 2021 and 2022, both solar and biofuels saw no significant change in electricity generation, maintaining a status quo during those years. However, in 2023, biofuels witnessed a minor increase of 0.1 TWh, suggesting a very slight but positive move towards embracing low-carbon electricity generation. Unfortunately, solar energy did not show any growth during these years. As the world moves towards more sustainable electricity sources, it is imperative for Guyana to leverage these slight changes as a foundation to significantly accelerate its low-carbon electricity generation, focusing on robust solar and nuclear investments.
