Guinea-Bissau renewable energy jobs assessment
In Guinea-Bissau, only one-third of the population has access to electricity (58% in Bissau, the capital). Access is almost non-existent in rural areas, where more than half the population lives.
Yet the country has considerable potential in terms of renewable energy resources: solar, hydroelectricity and biomass.
In early 2021, the government approved a “Least Cost Development Plan” that focuses on the development of renewable energy, with the installation of solar power plants and mini-grids in Bissau, inland cities (Cacheu, Bafata and Gabu) and in the Bijagos Islands.
The World Bank mandated Phœnix, in partnership with the Bissau Guinean consulting firm Eco Progresso, to evaluate and quantify the impact of renewable energy development on:
- direct and indirect jobs generated along the value chain of renewable energy projects;
- jobs induced by reliable access to electricity, resulting from the creation of economic activities in other sectors such as agriculture, agribusiness or health.
Our analysis also focuses on the adequacy of the associated skills needed for renewable energy development. It is based on:
- macro-economic analyses based on the development of an Input-Output model (Leontief),
- micro-economic analyses based on a detailed study of value chains,
- and analyses at the community level through focus groups organized in target areas.
Particular emphasis is placed on gender and social inclusion issues.
The final objective of this study is to develop concrete action plans.
