Congo
COGthe Congo's grid has been getting dirtier, not cleaner.
Low-carbon electricity went from 55% to 21% in 10 years.
What this grid depends on
Three measures that say more about a country than how much power it makes. Open “what this means” on any of them if the term is new.
Among the most carbon-heavy electricity anywhere.
What this means
How much planet-warming gas is released to make one unit of electricity. Two countries can generate exactly the same amount and one of them be ten times dirtier doing it. Lower is better.
Congo generates a surplus and sells it on.
What this means
The share of what this country generates that is sold abroad rather than used at home. A country can only export if it produces more than it needs, which usually means plentiful hydro, nuclear or wind.
Also true of Congo
The Congo has about as many people as Norway, and 33 times less electricity to share between them.
6.3 million people against 5.6 million, but 862 kWh per person a year against 28,598.
the Congo's electricity is dirtier than the world average.
716 grams of CO2e a kilowatt-hour against a world figure of 458 — 56% above.
Gas overtook hydro on the Congo's grid in 2015.
Today gas supplies 74% and hydro 20%.
Congo’s neighbours
CameroonCameroon has about as many people as Australia, and 43 times less electricity to share between them.
GabonGas overtook hydro on Gabon's grid in 2023.
AngolaAngola has about as many people as Canada, and 40 times less electricity to share between them.
Democratic Republic of CongoThe Democratic Republic of Congo has about as many people as Japan, and 57 times less electricity to share between them.
Central African RepublicCentral African Republic is second in the world for hydro.
Figures are for 2024, the most recent year reported for Congo. Generation shares are a percentage of electricity generated, not of energy used. How this is calculated.