In 2023, Guyana relied on fossil fuels for about 93% of its electricity consumption, while low-carbon sources supplied just 7%. Biofuels accounted for about 5% of electricity and solar for roughly 1.5%. This leaves substantial room to expand clean electricity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Guyana?

Electricity consumption per person is growing in Guyana. In 2023, it reached a new record of about 1,620 kWh per person, up 76 kWh, or roughly 5%, from the previous record in 2022. Low-carbon electricity generation also reached a new high of 109 kWh per person, exceeding the previous record of 40 kWh in 2015 by 69 kWh—almost tripling it. These gains are encouraging, and sustained clean electricity growth would help meet future demand from electrification and expanding digital services.

Suggestions

Guyana should prioritize solar expansion, supported by grid improvements and storage, while exploring suitable wind projects and considering nuclear electricity as part of its long-term planning. Relevant regional examples include Brazil, where solar supplies 11% of electricity and wind 14%, and Uruguay, where wind supplies about a third. Chile generates almost a quarter of its electricity from solar, demonstrating the scope for substantial solar deployment in South America. For nuclear, Guyana can study how France generates about two-thirds of its electricity from this clean source, alongside the United Arab Emirates, where nuclear supplies a fifth. These places offer useful lessons in planning, investment, and building the expertise needed to expand low-carbon electricity.

History

Guyana’s reported low-carbon electricity history shows a long period of limited change followed by a recent increase. The listed biofuel entries throughout the 2000s and selected years in the early and mid-2010s show no year-to-year change at the reported precision. Solar likewise recorded no reported change in 2017, 2019, and 2020. In 2023, biofuel generation increased by about 0.1 TWh, while solar again showed no change at the reported precision. That recent clean electricity gain is welcome, but the long stretch of reported stagnation underscores the importance of accelerating solar development and broadening Guyana’s clean electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade