Guinea is a country in West Africa known for minerals like gold and iron. This country experiments with hydropower. Due to the country’s vast rivers, hydropower is not only cost-effective; it can also help the citizens. The amount of energy Guinea could provide with hydropower may help other countries. Here is information about renewable energy in Guinea.

What is Renewable Energy?

1. It comes from natural resources such as sunlight and water. 
2. This energy can provide up to five times more jobs than fossil fuels. 
3. People can use this energy repeatedly.
4. It reduces greenhouse gasses, which affect the environment. 
5. Renewable energy can save money.
6. It reduces fossil-fuel dependency.
7. Renewable energy lowers reliance on foreign countries.
8. It reduces waste.

Why is Renewable Energy in Guinea Important?

Other countries may use Guinea as an example to see how effective the use of renewable energy is as a source of power. The amount of rivers Guinea has makes it a prime candidate for testing new sources of energy like hydropower. In fact, during the year 2015, the Kaleta Dam came online and along with the Kaleta Dam also came a strategy. The Guinean Government decided to restructure their power infrastructure, starting with new power lines and utilities. The dam more than doubled the amount of power to where distribution and transmission of the energy was more readily available. 

Guinea could share some of its energy with other neighboring countries as well. Guinea also uses solar energy in a project called 82 MW Solar, which is a project funded by investors from Germany. The project will help Guinea reach its goal of producing 30% of its energy from more sustainable sources.

Solutions

In 2015, the Electrify Africa Act institutionalized power in Africa. Power Africa is a market-driven U.S. government-led public-private partner devoted to doubling access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. Power Africa provides tools and resources to private sector entities so they may conduct and facilitate business in sub-Saharan Africa. The goal of Power Africa, according to the website, is to advance inclusive low-carbon economic growth. Power Africa has support from 12 interagency partners such as USAID and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Included also is the U.S. African Development Foundation, which takes donations as well. 

How Does Renewable Energy in Guinea Reduce the Country’s Poverty Issues?

According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), only 17% of the population in Guinea has access to electricity. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), 66.2% of the population in Guinea is poor, along with an additional 16.4% of the population classified as being vulnerable to multidimensional poverty. However, using hydropower and different sources of energy besides fossil fuels can help bring in more jobs. In fact, for every 1,000 workers the coal and gas industries employ, there are 5,000 jobs in the renewable energy fields. This means that not only will clean energy provide more electricity and reduce energy poverty, but it will also increase how many jobs there are in Guinea.

How Can Countries Prosper From Renewable Energy in Guinea?

The many natural resources from Guinea are important. One of Guinea’s prime exports is gold, a mineral that can be used for medical and electronic devices for defense and even traded for money. The country is also rich in iron and diamond minerals used to make jewelry and steel. The growth of this country and its resources can be a huge help to other developing countries and help reduce poverty. The growth of this country can help foster the economic growth of another country, giving rise to better relations among all countries.

– Marvin Lowery
Photo: Flickr