How is Gabon approaching energy planning?

To achieve climate agreements, and meet its growing energy demands, Gabon is approaching energy planning through a different process. News & Commentary Features/Analysis News Industry Sectors Generation Transmission and Distribution Metering Finance and Policy Climate Change Renewable energy Bio-energy Geothermal Hydropower Solar Wind

What challenges does Gabon face?

As a would-be emerging nation looking at diversifying and sustainably growing its economy, Gabon faces the challenge of simultaneously meeting increasing energy demand to improve socioeconomic conditions and protecting biodiversity and resilient ecosystem services into the future.

Does Gabon have a partnership with the Nature Conservancy?

The Gabonese State has signed a partnership agreement with The Nature Conservancy, an international conservation organisation operating in Gabon, to provide support on questions relating to the environmental impacts of new energy projects.

What are the opportunities in Gabon?

The opportunities are immense, but so are the demands. Gabon’s urban population is growing at 3.3% annually, and we have committed to increasing the energy access for rural populations, whose current 38% electrification rate is meagre compared to urban areas, which have a rate of above 80%.

How much power does Gabon need in 2040?

Nonetheless, World Bankstudies indicate that by 2040, Gabon will require an installed capacity of at least 1,250MW. However, closer to 1,850MW will be needed to power industrialisation where new processing enterprises will transform Gabon’s natural riches such as timber, manganese, and iron, which are currently exported as raw materials.

Does Gabon have hydropower?

In a country 90% covered by forest and by thousands of waterways which receive significant rainfall nine months of the year, that means hydropower. Already, hydropower provides more than half (51%) of Gabon’s current 2,000GWh of electricity per year, from an installed capacity of 720MW.