Comparatively to mining and agriculture, the Guinean energy sector with a capacity of 6,000 MW is also a priority growth sector. For decades, this potential has not been exploited adequately.

Guinea has huge energy potential but the power generation capacity is still insufficient to meet national consumption needs and favor accelerated growth objectives.

Since 2010, a new dynamic was birthed to double installed capacity from 212MW to 450MW by making the KALETA dam operational.

The potential of hydropower generation, transmission, distribution, interconnection and maintenance of the energy sector is estimated at 6000 MW for an annual energy supply of 19,300 GWh.

The current situation

In Guinea, the average rate of access to energy services is 18.1%; 47.8% in urban areas and 2% in rural areas. Energy consumption is concentrated in urban areas while it is almost unavailable in rural households.

Energy consumption per capita is less than a half ton of oil equivalent (TOE), of which 80% is from biomass.

Firewood and charcoal are the main energy sources for Guinean households. The medium and long-term goal is to replace this habit thanks to the development of renewable energy.

In this context marked by a chronic energy deficit despite huge natural potential, the government is engaged in an emergency recovery policy with the deployment of substantial resources in a strategic perspective through 5 axes:

(1)    Investment in infrastructure;

(2)    Improvement in management;

(3)    Professionally responding to demand in case of shortage in power supply

(4)    Restructuring and strengthening EDG (Private Management);

(5)    Restructuring and strengthening the capacity of the sector.

The launch of KALETA Hydroelectric Dam in May 2015 not only announces self-sufficiency in energy but "Guinea as regional energy power" in the near future.

Source: Management of Guinea Electricity Company (2015)

* NB: K-Energy is not yet part of the network.

The construction works to add additional 26MW from Kaloum 2 and 50MW from Kipé to give a thermal energy capacity 100MW are under way, only 24MW have been installed and operational for Kaloum 1.

Competitive advantages

Guinea has over 1,165 rivers, including three of the five largest rivers in Africa (the Niger, Senegal and Gambia Rivers) with sources in the country. Hydropower potential is estimated at 6,000 MW.

In addition to the sub regional market, these rivers offer significant opportunities in developing priority sectors like mining, agriculture and industrialization.

Opportunities in brief

While it is true that Guinea has considerable hydropower potential of about 6,000 MW, it should be underscored that only less than 3% are developed.

Therefore, many Public-Private Partnerships and Private Investment opportunities do exist in the sector.

The portfolio of priority energy projects offering many investment opportunities: