IEEJ : July 2013

Energy policy (J13-00604)
COUNTRY REPORT (TOKYO, JUNE, 02ND22ND 2013)-----------------------PRESENTED BY PATRICK YALIS ONGALLA,ELECTRICITY MANAGER.
MINISTRY OF OIL, ENERGY AND HYDRAULICRESSOURCES OF GABON

Introduction (Geographical aspects)

Introduction (geographical aspects)
 Gabon is a country located in the central

western region of Africa and shares borders
to the northwest with Equatorial Guinea, tothe north with Cameroon and to the east andsouth with the Republic of Congo. The Gulfof Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is tothe west of the country.

Introduction (geographical aspects)
 The country has an area of about 270,000

km² and counts a population estimatedmore than 1,500,000 inhabitants (census of2003). Its capital and bigger city is Libreville.
 Gabon gained its independence from France
in 1960 and has vast natural resources whoplay an important role in GDP formation.

Introduction (Socio-economic aspects)
 Although Gabon is one of the few countries

in sub-Saharan Africa to be classified byinternational institutions (IMF and WB)such as middle-income country, Gabon
records a poverty level comparable to that oflow-income countries (HDI of 0.656 in 2011
/ 187 countries).

Introduction (Socio-economic aspects)
 Economic situation compared of Gabon and its

neighbors (source: IMF, World Economy Outlook,April 2012).
GDP (Constant prices, bilion USD)
Real growth rate (%)
Population (million)
GDP per capita (constant prices, USD)
Inflation
Governement revenues (% of GDP)
Governement spending (% of GDP)Net Public debt (% of GDP)
Trade balance

Gabon
13,2
6,60%
1,58 820
1,40%
28,10%
25,10%
15,70%
9,10%

Cameroon
22,5
2,90%
20,4
1 100
1,30%
17,50%
18,60%
12,10%‐2,80%

Congo
12
8,80%
3,93 113
23,50%
37,50%
21,40%
23,80%
5,10%

Equatorial Guinea
14,5‐0,80%
1,3
11 045
7,50%
30,00%
35,00%
7,50%‐24,10%Introduction (Socio-economic aspects)
 An economy mainly concentrated around mining

activities accounted for 56.3% of GDP in 2008.
 The weight of oil industry, in particular, is steadilyrising. It represents 53% of GDP and 79% of export
earnings (in value).
 The forest industry is the second largest economic
sector and accounts for 8% of exports (by value).
 Manganese contributes to GDP by 4% and exports
up to 8% (in value).

I. Energy policy and measures
 Gabon has a strategy to develop its resources for thedevelopment of the country.
 This program resulted in the energy sector with anambitious program to make Gabon a sustainableenergy platform and environment friendly thatguarantees universal access to modern energy
services, reliable and affordable cost by 2020.
 It also relies on a serie of reforms to improve thebusiness climate and promote private sector
development and public-private partnerships.

I. a. Energy policy
To achieve this objective, the Gabonese
authorities base on the following key:Ensuring energy security and increase accessfor all;
Make substantial progress towards clean andrenewable energy;
Measures for rural area and suburban;
Governance strengthened at the nationallevel.

I.b. Measures
 Electricicty production:
 Based on the 2010-2020 electricity plan; The goal is to make Gabon a sustainableenergy platform based on a mix hydro - gas- biomass consistent with pillar "GreenGabon" of "Gabon Emergent" policy;
 The main projects are, in chronologicalorder:

I.b. Measures
 Thermal gas power plant in Libreville (70 MW):commissioning is scheduled for August 2013;
 The Grand Poubara Hydroelectric power plant inFranceville (South-east) (160 MW): commissioning isscheduled for August 2013;
 Thermal gas power plant in Port Gentil (50 MW cangradually go up to 100 MW): commissioning is scheduled
for september 2013;
 Three other hydroelectric power plant ( 10, 36, 85 and110 MW): the start of construction is scheduled for theend of 2013.

I.b. Measures Oil and gas: To strengthen the supply of oil and gas

in Gabon for the benefit of all, the Government aims
to achieve the following: Develop specific gas exploration, particularly inoffshore; Partnerships with gas operators for the supply ofgas;
 Amend legislation on gas and conditions ofcontracts and promoting the arrival of investors(electricity generation projects with PPP, industrial
projects using gas, ie fertilizer metallurgy);

I.b. Measures
 Transmission and energy distribution and regional

cooperation:
 Construction of the National transmission

network from 2010 to 2018 with a national load
dispathing center; By 2020, development of the proposed regional
interconnected transmission network via the axis
Brazzaville (Congo)-Calabar (Nigeria).
The main objective here is to share energyresources.

I.b. Measures Energy efficiency in supply and demand:

improving energy efficiency and conservation can:
 Reduce the need for investement in infrastructures;
 Reduce fuel costs;
 Increase competitiveness, environmental benefits

and consumers well-being; Lessen the dependance on fossil fuel.
To achieve this goal, the following activities will beundertaken:

I.b. Measures Energy audit (assessment) of the most important

admnistrative buildings;
 Develop a plan for energy efficiency in publicbuildings from recommendations related to auditand implement; Implement energy saving solution such as the useof energy efficient lighting solutions, unloaders forthe consumption of air conditioners;
 For the public lighting, use a systematic way oflighting low energy (LBC, LED) systems.

II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

 Statistics are from 2000, year of the last publicationof the energy situation in Gabon; Aggregate demand is distributed among thefollowing subsectors, in 2000:
 Oil industry; Other industries (agriculture, fishing, forestry, mine industries,timber, construction,…); Transports;
 Tertiary; And households.

II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

 Demand statistics in 2000 (Source: DGERH)
In TOE
Global Consumption

1994
1998
1999
2000 Var 00/94 (%) Var 00/99 (%)
505 314 661 477 619 311 589 304
0,170,11

Oil Industry
Other industries
Transport74 922
124 471
164 51745 601

99 280179 627
214 51746 736

1043

1131Tertiary sector

97 265160 662
199 037
41 200101 993
166 750
166 055
40 694

Households
Statistic discrepancy

000,360,34
0,01
0,110,18

0,03
0,07
0,23
0,130,05

11II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

In %Global Consumption

1994
100%

1998
100%

1999
100%

2000
100%

Oil Industry
Other industries
Transport
Households

15%
25%
33%
9%
19%

15%
27%
32%
7%
18%

16%
26%
32%
7%
20%

17%
28%
28%
7%
19%

Statistic discrepancy

0%

0%

0%

0%

Tertiary sector

II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

 Oil industry:II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

 Industries:

II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

 Diesel consumption in industries subsector in 2000:

II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

 Electricity (MV) consumption in industries subsector (2000)

II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

 Transports subsector:

II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

 Tertiary:

II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

 Households:

II.

Energy demand and supply (statistics)

 Supply statistics in 2000 (Source: DGERH):

Common units

Production

Energy production
Imports (+)
Exports (‐)
Marine bunkers (‐)
Stock variation
Primary supply 1a

Crude oil

PetrolKerosene

DieselHeavy oil

Non‐energy
petrolium
products

Tonne

Tonne

Tonne

Tonne

Tonne

Tonne

LPG

Natural gas Electricity
3Tonne3 000 m18 462 000
17 750 783

3 040
34 02955 49523 189711 2173 240
27 749337
31 96970 59980 30770 599

MWhBiomass

3 000 th

2 713 914

809 104

5 830 098

2 713 914

809 104

5 830 098

10 077

10 16072 00182 16026 126272 480
246 354

60 89750 74652 4132 103
44 3660186 03270 000
4 774
260 806

1 314
0

6 232
75606
709

172
5 985

278 089

10 07310 07780 307252 009
20 745231 265

278 089

10 073

RefineryTransformation Thermale power plants
Secondery supply 1b711 217
4711 217

Gross supply 1c=1a+1b
Non‐energy uses (‐)
Losses in thetransmission anddistribution (‐)=1‐1c
Domestic market
Net supply

0
5

42 850112 276

186 899

17 284

10 781
10 52416 0622 631 754

1 055 458

5 830 098
63 00059 5451 993

43 80012 415257355

2 580 198

137 404

5 266 800

6033 305
33 305110 283
110 283

251 443
230 699

29 69929 69910 524015 707
15 707

123 556
51 555918 054891 928500 298
500 298

III. Outlook of energy demand and supply Energy demand: Petreleum: demand for petroleum products is expected toincrease rapidly in the next ten years if the number ofindustrial projects are implemented, but also because ofchanges in household lifestyle.
 Gas: gas consumption will follow the same trend because ofits use in electricity production, but also in fertilizants
industry.
 Electricity: Since 2000, electricity demand grows with arate of up to 6% per year. This trend will continue to rise
exceeding 12% per year by 2020, due to the implementationof industrial projects, but also changes in household
lifestyle.

III. Outlook of energy demand and supply Energy supply: Petreleum: proved reserves can ensure energy
independence for the 40 years. But it is necessary
to increase the refining capacity, Gas: proven reserves are enormous to ensure
energy independence for several years. But large
investments are needed.
 Electricity: hydropower potential is expected to
face the demand increased. But other Renewableenergy sources must be developed

III.

Major difficulties and bottlenecks currently faced informulating energy policies

Many difficulties and barriers hinder theformulation of energy policy in Gabon. Amongof them, we have:Difficulties in obtaining and monitoring ofenergy data;
Institutional and regulatory aspects: there isno institutional or regulatory framework
mandating transmission of energy data to theMinistry in charge of Energy;

III.

Major difficulties and bottlenecks currently
faced in formulating energy policies Difficulties in the development of energybalance; Financial barriers: Political barriers

IV. Subjects to study in order of priority
 Development of energy balance;
 Calculation of indicators;
 Prospective analyzes;
 Development of an energy information

system.

Thank you!

Contact : report@tky.ieej.or.jp