Electricity in Guyana in 2023
Guyana's electricity consumption in 2023 is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than nine-tenths of its electricity generated from these sources. This leaves low-carbon energy contributing a minor 7% to the total electricity generation. Biofuels are responsible for about 5% of this low-carbon share, while solar power adds another nearly 2%. The current energy mix points towards a significant dependence on fossil fuels and an opportunity for substantial growth in clean electricity generation, which could help Guyana reduce its impact on climate change and improve air quality.
Is Electricity Growing in Guyana?
Electricity consumption is on the rise in Guyana, as evidenced by the latest figures showing 1,622 kWh per person in 2023—a growth of 76 kWh per person from the previous record in 2022. This indicates a positive trend towards increased electricity accessibility that is also echoed in the low-carbon sector. The generation of low-carbon electricity has seen a remarkable increase, with the current contribution reaching 109 kWh per person, up from the 40 kWh per person recorded back in 2015. This growth in clean electricity generation is encouraging, even though it currently forms a small proportion of the overall electricity mix.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Guyana can look towards models of successful countries, particularly in the arena of nuclear and solar energy. Countries like Lebanon and Chile, which generate about 31% and 22% of their electricity from solar power respectively, provide compelling examples of solar energy's potential. Similarly, nuclear power has played a significant role in countries like France, Slovakia, and Ukraine, where it makes up over half of their electricity generation. By investing in solar energy development and considering nuclear power's potential, Guyana could substantially increase its clean electricity output, aligning with global trends towards sustainable energy.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Guyana shows a stagnant period for biofuels from 2000 to 2016, with no recorded increase in production. Solar energy began to make a presence in 2017 but remained constant alongside biofuels until 2023 when biofuels saw a slight increase by 0.1 TWh. This long period of stagnation is concerning and underscores the pressing need for dynamic growth in the low-carbon sector to meet future electricity demands. This history marks a period where Guyana is poised for transformation through strategic investments in clean energy technologies, such as solar and nuclear.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.