Gabon energy mix & electricity
Power plants in Gabon produced 2.6 TWh of electricity in 2024. Natural gas is the largest source at 44.2%, ahead of hydropower (35%) and oil (20.4%).
Electricity generation by source in 2024
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | 1.15 | 44.2% | −3 |
| Hydro | 0.91 | 35% | −4.7 |
| Oil | 0.53 | 20.4% | +7.8 |
| Bioenergy | 0.01 | 0.4% | −0.1 |
| Total | 2.6 | 100% |
Gabon: electricity in context
Power plants in Gabon produced 2.6 TWh of electricity in 2024. That is similar to Montenegro. Natural gas is the largest source at 44.2%, ahead of hydropower (35%) and oil (20.4%).
Renewables supplied 35.4% of the electricity, which ranks Gabon 81st of 158 countries. That is almost exactly the world average of 33.8%. It is also above the average for Africa (24.7%). Each kilowatt-hour emitted on average 523 g CO₂e, against a world average of 458 g. The grid is more carbon-intensive than the world average. On carbon intensity, Gabon ranks 102nd of 158 from the cleanest.
Since 2014, the fastest-growing source has been oil: its output rose by 280 GWh, lifting its share by 7.8 percentage points. The net effect: renewables lost 4.8 percentage points of share since 2014. Total generation grew by 610 GWh over the same period. Carbon intensity, however, rose from 497 to 523 g/kWh (+5%).
Coal has never been part of the power mix in Gabon in any meaningful way.
Wind and solar remain marginal in Gabon, together supplying under 1% of electricity.
Gabon generates 1,024 kWh of electricity per resident each year, 27% of the global average. Imports cover around 18% of demand: Gabon bought 580 GWh more electricity than it exported.
How the power mix has changed
Electricity generation by source since 2000. Switch to shares to see the structural shift independent of demand growth.
Renewables and carbon intensity
Gabon against the world and Africa averages.
Total energy: beyond electricity
Primary energy covers transport, heating and industry too. Per person, that is 6,477 kWh a year (world: 21,654).
Domestic extraction of coal, gas and oil, in energy terms.
Power plants in Gabon
The WRI Global Power Plant Database lists 6 utility-scale plants in Gabon with a combined capacity of 0.4 GW. Hydro plants account for the largest slice (64% of listed capacity). The biggest single plant is Poubara (160 MW, Hydro). The database was last updated in 2021, so newer wind and solar farms and rooftop PV are under-represented.
Largest power plants
| # | Plant | Fuel | Capacity MW | Commissioned | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poubara | Hydro | 160 | — | — |
| 2 | Owendo | Gas | 77 | — | — |
| 3 | Tchimbele | Hydro | 68 | — | — |
| 4 | Port-Gentil | Gas | 68 | — | — |
| 5 | Kinguele | Hydro | 58 | — | — |
| 6 | Rabi | Oil | 16 | — | — |
Source: WRI Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0). Explore all 6 plants on the interactive power plant map.
Solar & wind farms: Gabon
5 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 0 MW of solar and 0 MW of wind operating, plus 80 MW under construction or planned.
How does Gabon compare?
Gabon next to 6 neighbouring countries, plus regional and world averages. Click a column to sort; use “Compare” for full side-by-side charts.
| Country | Renewable % | Low-carbon % | Fossil % | gCO₂/kWh | kWh / person | Generation TWh | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabon | 35.4% | 35.4% | 64.6% | 523 | 1,024 | 2.6 | — | |
| Cameroon | 73.1% | 73.1% | 26.9% | 226 | 249 | 7.3 | Compare | |
| Republic of the Congo | 20.9% | 20.9% | 79.1% | 716 | 862 | 5.5 | Compare | |
| Equatorial Guinea | 26.8% | 26.8% | 73.2% | 644 | 787 | 1.5 | Compare | |
| Nigeria | 31.3% | 31.3% | 68.7% | 456 | 175 | 41.5 | Compare | |
| DR Congo | 100% | 100% | 0% | 28 | 146 | 15.9 | Compare | |
| Angola | 73.7% | 73.7% | 26.3% | 185 | 412 | 15.6 | Compare | |
| Africa average | 24.7% | 25.5% | 74.5% | 544 | 635 | 962 | Compare | |
| World average | 33.8% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 458 | 3,860 | 31,772 | Compare |
Calculators for Gabon
Gabon energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in Gabon is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in Gabon?
How clean is the electricity in Gabon?
Does Gabon have nuclear power?
How much electricity does Gabon use per person?
Does Gabon import electricity?
More countries in Africa
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries
- World Resources Institute: Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0) — power plant locations and capacity
Electricity data: Ember and Energy Institute Statistical Review via Our World in Data (CC BY 4.0); latest year 2024. Power plants: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). Rankings exclude systems under 1 TWh and values older than 2020. Figures may be revised by the original publishers.