Electricity in Guyana in 2022

In 2022, Guyana's electricity consumption was overwhelmingly reliant on fossil fuels, with almost all—98.25%—of its electricity generated from these sources. The reliance on clean energy was minimal, nearly close to none, with low-carbon energy comprising just 1.75% of the electricity mix. Within this small fraction of clean energy, all was generated from gas, which, while being a low-carbon option, still relies on fossil resources. This heavy dependence on fossil fuels highlights a significant opportunity for diversification into more sustainable and truly green energy sources to combat climate change and reduce pollution.

Suggestions

To increase its share of low-carbon electricity generation, Guyana can look to the successes of countries like Uruguay and Denmark, which have harnessed the power of wind energy constituting about a third and more than half of their electricity generation, respectively. Wind energy is an excellent option for Guyana due to its coastal geography. Additionally, solar power has shown promise in countries similar in size and climate, such as Cyprus, where solar accounted for almost a fifth of the electricity. Furthermore, nuclear energy, as seen in France where it makes up nearly two-thirds of the electricity generation, offers reliability and scalability. Guyana could diversify its energy portfolio by investing in wind, solar, and considering nuclear as a reliable low-carbon option.

History

Historically, Guyana's engagement with low-carbon electricity has been stagnant. From 2000 to 2016, there was no recorded change in biofuel-based electricity generation, remaining consistently at zero. Solar energy, which started appearing in the records only from 2017 onwards, also did not mark any significant change in electricity generation through to 2020. This consistent lack of development in clean energy sources highlights the need for significant policy shifts and investment to foster growth in sustainable electricity generation. Exploring wind and solar options or pivoting towards reliable nuclear energy seems imperative to break from this pattern and embrace a cleaner energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources