Guinea Solar Report

Gain comprehensive insights into the statistics and metrics surrounding the solar production industry in Guinea

  1. Climates to travel (n.d.). Climate in Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/guinea
  2. International Renewable Energy Agency (2024, July 31). Energy profile Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Statistics/Statistical_Profiles/Africa/Guinea_Africa_RE_SP.pdf
  3. World Bank Document (2018, February). International development association project paper on a proposed additional credit in the amount of sdr 17.6 million (US $25 million equivalent) to the Republic of Guinea for the power sector recovery project. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/172941521424821535/pdf/GUINEA-POWER-SECTOR1-PAD-02272018.pdf
  4. IFC Advisory Services in Public-Private Partnerships (2016, March). Guinea: Electricité de Guinée. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.ppiaf.org/sites/default/files/documents/2016-01/PPPStories_Guinea_Electricity.pdf
  5. Veolia Africa (n.d.). Modernizing Guinea Conakry’s electricity sector. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.africa.veolia.com/en/our-clients/modernizing-guinea-conakrys-electricity-sector
  6. World Bank (2016, March 3). 2014-2015 West Africa Ebola Crisis: Impact Update. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/macroeconomics/publication/2014-2015-west-africa-ebola-crisis-impact-update
  7. International Renewable Energy Agency (2024). Renewable energy statistics 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2024/Jul/IRENA_Renewable_Energy_Statistics_2024.pdf
  8. Energy Connects (2024, August 30). Guinea turns to solar to cut energy reliance on neighbors. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.energyconnects.com/news/renewables/2024/august/guinea-turns-to-solar-to-cut-energy-reliance-on-neighbors/
  9. World Bank (2020, October 23). Guinea Bissau: Power Sector Policy Note. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/603551614958568883/text/Guinea-Bissau-Power-Sector-Policy-Note.txt
  10. Tony Blair Institute (2019, May 13). Guinea’s solar promise. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://institute.global/insights/climate-and-energy/guineas-solar-promise
  11. Worldometer (2016). Guinea electricity. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.worldometers.info/electricity/guinea-electricity/
  12. Statista (2022, April). Share of individuals with a reliable supply of electricity in Guinea in 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1316156/share-of-individuals-with-a-reliable-supply-of-electricity-in-guinea/
  13. SEforALL Africa (n.d.). Country data – Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.se4all-africa.org/seforall-in-africa/country-data/guinea/
  14. Solar quarter (2024, April 17). Aptech Africa empowers Guinea with solar mini-grid installations. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://solarquarter.com/2024/04/17/aptech-africa-empowers-guinea-with-solar-minigrid-installations/
  15. Get Invest (n.d.). 82 MW solar project for Guinea clean power generation. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.get-invest.eu/story/82-mw-solar-project-for-guinea/
  16. Power Technology (2024, October 21). Power plant profile: Khoumagueli Solar PV Park, Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.power-technology.com/data-insights/power-plant-profile-khoumagueli-solar-pv-park-guinea/
  17. Green mini- grid (2020, June). Mini-grid market opportunity assessment: Guinea Conakry. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://greenminigrid.afdb.org/sites/default/files/guinea-english-3.pdf
  18. PV know how (2024, April 18). Aptech Installs 124kWp Mini-Grids in Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.pvknowhow.com/aptech-installs-124kwp-mini-grids-in-guinea/
  19. EnGreen (n.d.). Advancing sustainable energy solutions in Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.engreen.world/feasibility-study-solar-mini-grids-guinea/
  20. Energy Capital Power (2021, August 6). Harnessing the potential of Guinea Conakry’s renewable energy sector. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://energycapitalpower.com/harnessing-the-potential-of-guinea-conakrys-renewable-energy-sector/
  21. World salaries (n.d.). Average Salary in Guinea for 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://worldsalaries.com/average-salary-in-guinea/
  22. World salaries (n.d.). Average Solar Energy Systems Engineer Salary in Guinea for 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://worldsalaries.com/average-solar-energy-systems-engineer-salary-in-guinea/
  23. World salaries (n.d.). Average Solar Engineer Salary in Guinea for 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://worldsalaries.com/average-solar-engineer-salary-in-guinea/
  24. World salaries (n.d.). Average Solar Thermal Technician Salary in Guinea for 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://worldsalaries.com/average-solar-thermal-technician-salary-in-guinea/
  25. Worldometer (n.d.). Guinea population. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/guinea-population/
  26. Mediasova (n.d.). Real Estate Conakry. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://dom.mediasova.com/en/guinea/2
  27. International Development Association (2017, June 8). Guinea – Urban Water Project. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.gtai.de/resource/blob/28380/b62f77a5c017e8b2698e9efbbba3f32a/pro201707035012-data.pdf
  28. Regus (n.d.). Office Space in Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.regus.com/en-gb/guinea
  29. Statista (2024, September). Non-life insurances – Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/outlook/fmo/insurances/non-life-insurances/guinea
  30. International Trade Administration (2024, April 24). Guinea – Country Commercial Guide. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/guinea-renewable-resources
  31. African Energy Week (2024, July 22). Guinea-Conakry’s energy minister joins AEW 2024, promoting investment opportunities in oil, gas and regional power. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://aecweek.com/guinea-conakrys-energy-minister-joins-aew-2024-promoting-investment-opportunities-in-oil-gas-and-regional-power-2/
  32. International Electrotechnical Commission (n.d.). Guinea – IEC Affiliate country. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.iec.ch/dyn/www/f?p=103:36:::::FSP_ORG_ID:1143
  33. African Development Bank (2021, November 22). Country priority plan and diagnostic of the electricity sector Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.afdb.org/sites/default/files/2021/11/22/guinea.pdf
  34. Lighting global (2018, January). Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.lightingglobal.org/country/guinea/
  35. Africa Energy Portal (2020, April 10). Guinea: Solar off-grid projects receive close to €762,000 from AfDB. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://africa-energy-portal.org/news/guinea-solar-grid-projects-receive-close-eu762000-afdb
  36. Green Climate Club (n.d.). Republic of Guinea. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.greenclimate.fund/countries/guinea
  37. Energy Capital Power (2023, May 8). Top 10 solar projects in the MSGBC region by capacity. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://energycapitalpower.com/top-10-solar-project-in-the-msgbc-region-by-capacity/

Key points

  • All figures have been converted into USD

Yearly sunshine (sun hours per year)

Guinea receives an average of 2,975 hours of sunshine per year, averaging around 9 hours of sunshine per day.1

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kWh per kWp installed

The annual average energy generation per unit of installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Guinea is approximately 1,580 kWh/kWp per year.2

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Average cost per kWh from utility company

In 2018, the average electricity tariff in Guinea is was approximately $0.009 per kWh.3

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Reliability of electrical power supply grid

Guinea’s electricity grid faces major challenges, including frequent blackouts, high distribution losses, and operational issues. The state utility, Electricité de Guinée (EDG), struggles with outdated infrastructure, poor maintenance, and high electricity theft rates and losses, resulting in unreliable service and overall poor performance.4

The 2013-2014 Ebola crisis worsened the situation, causing huge budget losses to the economy and reducing EDG’s revenue. With resources diverted to health efforts, investment in the power grid and essential maintenance were delayed, leading to more outages and higher losses.5

Thanks to a 2013 contract with Veolia, outages were successfully reduced from over 40 per month to fewer than one by 2016, though the grid still remains vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations in hydroelectric generation.6

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Detailed Information

  • All figures have been converted into USD
  • Total solar panel production capacity (installed)

    Total installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Guinea was approximately 25 MW.7

    Total solar panel production capacity (projected)

    By 2030, Guinea is expected to reach a total solar PV capacity of 205 MW, thanks to new solar projects totaling 180 MW of new capacity.8

    Average costs of various electricity generation sources (coal, natural gas, solar, etc)

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    • Hydropower – $0.18/kWh
    • Fossil fuels – $0.20/kWh
    • Solar energy – $0.08/kWh

    Percentages of various electricity generation sources (coal, natural gas, solar, etc)

    In 2016, the distribution of electricity generation sources in Guinea was as follows:11

    • Hydropower: 66%
    • Fossil fuels: 33.44%
    • Solar energy: 0.5%

    Average daily availability of electricity from the national grid (measured in hours)

    1213

    Approximately 20% of Guinea’s total population has access to a reliable electricity supply for nearly 24 hours a day, with 82% of these individuals residing in urban areas.

    Around 12% of the population experiences intermittent electricity service, with availability of up to 12 hours.

    Meanwhile, 67% of residents do not have any connection to the national electricity grid.

    Number of residential solar panel installations

    There is no specific data available on the number of residential solar panel installations in Guinea. Currently, community-level solar power supply provides electricity to local communities in rural areas, including schools and government offices, rather than individual residential installations.14

    Total number of solar farms (installed and projected)

    In Guinea, there are currently two significant solar projects in development: the Khoumagueli solar power plant and a solar project developed in Kamsar and Boké.1516

    Off-grid market demand for solar panels (current and projected)

    171819

    The off-grid solar panel market in Guinea is experiencing growth, driven by the government’s emphasis on renewable energy. The potential market for mini-grids is estimated at approximately $15 million, aimed at serving around 110,000 households without access to electricity. To support this, a feasibility study has been launched by EnGreen, LVIA, and GME to identify optimal locations for new solar mini-grids. The findings will help create bankable project reports, paving the way for the successful implementation of these mini-grids.

    Currently, two off-grid solar microgrids are operational in Guinea, installed by Aptech Africa in Bolodou and Thianguel Bori, with capacities of 103.4 kWp and 21.45 kWp, respectively.

    On-grid market demand for solar panels (current and projected)

    720

    Guinea’s on-grid solar market is poised for growth as the government plans to construct its first solar power plants, aiming to increase electricity production by 15%. Current projects include two 35 MW plants and one 30 MW plant, with discussions for two additional 40 MW plants, totaling 180 MW of new capacity.

    The Khoumagueli project will be Guinea’s first solar photovoltaic plant connected to the national grid, generating 40MW of clean energy. Beyond supplying domestic electricity, Khoumagueli will also be strategically placed to connect to the West African Power Pool, facilitating energy exchange with neighboring countries.

    Additionally, approximately 360,000 households in Guinea are projected to benefit from solar energy through the ongoing 82 MW solar project being developed in Kamsar and Boké.

    Average monthly income of workers in solar industry (labor cost)

    21222324

    • The average monthly salary in Guinea is approximately $810.
    • Solar Energy Systems: the average monthly salary is approximately $769.
    • Solar Engineer: the average monthly salary is approximately $741.
    • Solar Thermal Technician: the average monthly salary is approximately $453.

    Population of the country

    The current population of Guinea is 14,907,292.25

    Average overhead costs of solar panel production (with a brief breakdown)

    Estimate for Factory Rent 26

    The average monthly rent of industrial and logistics premises in Conakry, Guinea is approximately $2-6 per square meter.

    Industrial Electricity Rates 3

    The average electricity price in Guinea is approximately $0.009 per kWh

    Water Costs 27

    The water tariff in Guinea has undergone significant changes over the years due to various reforms and economic conditions. As of the latest information available from 2017, the water tariff in Guinea averages around $ 0.37 per cubic meter.

    Salaries and Wages 222324

    Monthly salaries of workers in solar industry in Guinea ranges from $453 to $769, depending on the position.

    Rent for Office Space 28

    The average monthly rent for private and custom office spaces in Guinea is approximately $267.5 per person per month.

    Insurance 29

    The average spending per capita for non-life insurance in Guinea is estimated to be $49.57 in 2024.

    A summary of the energy infrastructure

    8133031

    Energy Mix

    Currently, biomass accounts for 77% of energy consumption, while hydropower dominates electricity generation. By 2025, hydropower is expected to constitute over 80% of installed capacity, with solar energy projects aiming to add 180 MW to the grid, including the Khoumagueli solar plant (40 MW) starting construction in 2024.

    Key Institutions

    The Electricité de Guinée (EDG) manages electricity distribution but faces financial challenges and is reliant on government subsidies. The government is in the process of restructuring EDG and seeking public-private partnerships to enhance efficiency and expand access.

    Export / Import

    Guinea primarily imports electricity, with imports increasing from 40,959 TJ in 2016 to 63,927 TJ in 2021. The country aims to develop its renewable capacity to enable future exports.

    Policy Goals

    Guinea’s policy goals include increasing renewable energy access, improving infrastructure, and achieving 50% electricity access by 2025. The strategy emphasizes investment in solar and hydropower to reduce reliance on imports and support economic growth.

    Some of the government regulations surrounding solar panel production

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    General Quality Considerations: While the specific regulations surrounding solar panel production in Guinea are still being established, there is an emphasis on adopting international quality standards, such as those from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), to ensure product safety and performance, durability, and consumer protection. This aims to prevent the entry of low-quality products into the market.

    General Framework: The government of Guinea has established goals for improving energy access in the Country Priority Plan, which includes promoting renewable energy sources like solar power.

    Government initiatives in solar panel production (includes investments and subsidies)

    30343536

    International organizations financing: The government is actively collaborating with international organizations like the World Bank and the Green Climate Fund to secure funding for solar initiatives.

    Private sector participation: The government’s strategy includes creating an enabling environment for private sector involvement, which could lead to financing options or partnerships that benefit end-users looking to install solar panels.

    African Development Bank (AfDB) Grants: The AfDB has awarded nearly $801,290 (over 7.9 billion Guinean francs) to Guinea’s Rural Electrification Agency (AGER) to support solar off-grid projects in rural areas. This funding will help develop 57 solar systems, improving electricity access for 30,000 households and small businesses. The grant will also assist AGER in evaluating private sector bids and mobilizing further funding. With over 64% of Guinea’s population in rural areas, this initiative is crucial to increasing the country’s electricity access, particularly in regions unlikely to connect to the national grid in the near future.

    Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP): This initiative supports access to finance for stand-alone solar system businesses through loans, which could facilitate the availability of household solar systems in Guinea.

    Notable solar projects in the country (installed and projected)

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    Khoumagueli Solar PV Park

    • Capacity: 40 MW
    • Location: Kindia
    • Investor: Anergi Africa Developments and Solveo Energie
    • Details: This ground-mounted solar project is currently at the permitting stage, with construction expected to start in 2025 and commercial operation by 2026. It will have a 25-year power purchase agreement with Electricité de Guinée, making it a significant addition to Guinea’s renewable energy capacity.

    Kamsar and Boké Solar Power Plants

    • Capacity: 82 MW (combined)
    • Location: Kamsar and Boké
    • Investor: Clean Power Generation
    • Details: These two solar facilities are expected to provide electricity to up to 360,000 households. The projects aim to enhance local energy access and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.

    Additional Planned Solar Projects

    • Capacity: Two additional 40 MW plants (under discussion)
    • Location: Not specified
    • Investor: Not specified
    • Details: These projects are part of Guinea’s broader strategy to increase electricity production by 15% and reduce reliance on neighboring countries.

    Some of the notable solar companies (plus brief details on what they do)

    Aptech Africa

    • Headquarters: Conakry, Guinea
    • Website: https://www.aptechafrica.com/
    • Details: Aptech Africa specializes in renewable energy solutions, focusing on solar mini-grid installations. They recently completed projects in Bolodou and Thianguel Bori, enhancing energy access for local communities and integrating solar PV systems with existing hydroelectric plants.

    Guinea Solar Power

    • Headquarters: Conakry, Guinea
    • Website: https://guineasolarpower.com/
    • Details: Total Solar Power Solutions specializes in on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid solar energy solutions for businesses and communities across Africa. Their projects include large-scale solar installations, energy management systems, and tariff optimization, with ongoing developments in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

    Bonjour Solar Technologies

    • Headquarters: Conakry, Guinea
    • Website: https://bonjoursolar.com/
    • Details: The company specializes in the development, production, and sales of solar energy products, including solar panels, inverters, lithium batteries, gel batteries, and off-grid solar solutions. With over 10 years of experience, the company is providing high-quality solar products and one-stop logistics solutions, having already expanded its reach to over 100 countries, enabling off-grid communities to access sustainable energy.

    Solartrax Sarl

    • Headquarters: Labé, Guinea
    • Website: https://solartrax.eu/
    • Details: Solartrax, founded in Brussels, Belgium, specializes in the installation of photovoltaic panels for businesses, industrial clients, and local authorities, offering both self-consumption and grid-connected solutions. Expanding into Morocco and Guinea, Solartrax excels in providing tailored energy solutions, including smart-meter technology for energy injection limitation, high-voltage lithium battery integration, and solar pumping systems. The company also emphasizes ongoing maintenance and real-time monitoring via mobile apps to ensure optimal performance and energy production.

    Soni Energy

    • Headquarters: Conakry, Guinea
    • Website: https://soni-energy.com/
    • Details: In addition to its core fuel supply services, SONI Energy is expanding into the renewable energy sector with a range of high-quality solar solutions, including bifacial, mono PERC, mono, and multi solar cells for commercial-scale solar module manufacturing. Their solar products are designed for diverse applications, from private rooftop installations to large-scale ground-mounted power plants, and are supported by a strong global partner network.

    Hastine

    • Headquarters: Conakry, Guinea
    • Website: https://www.facebook.com/hastinesarl/
    • Details: Hastine is specialized in the supply and installation of solar equipment, including solar panels, batteries, inverters, solar hybrid air conditioners, solar street lights, and more. The company offers comprehensive solar solutions tailored to both residential and commercial needs, ensuring reliable access to renewable energy while enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability.

    Phira Group – Eau & Energie

    • Headquarters: Conakry, Guinea
    • Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087296114617
    • Details: Phira Group specializes in the import, sale, and installation of solar and hydraulic equipment, offering a wide range of solutions including solar panels, batteries, inverters and potable water systems. The company provides customized solutions for residential, commercial, and agricultural sectors.

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