In 2022, the Cook Islands achieved an impressive balance in their electricity generation, with half of their electricity coming from clean energy sources, specifically solar power. Solar energy alone constituted half of the electricity generation, highlighting its pivotal role in the country's energy landscape. Meanwhile, fossil fuels accounted for the remaining 50% of electricity production. This indicates a significant reliance on both solar and fossil sources. While the current distribution exhibits an equal split between clean and fossil energy, further efforts to boost low-carbon generation could enhance environmental sustainability and energy security for the Cook Islands.
Is Electricity Growing in Cook Islands?
Recent trends show a decline in overall electricity consumption in the Cook Islands. In 2022, the per capita electricity consumption was around 2712 kWh, which is a decrease from the previous high of 3008 kWh per person in 2018. This reflects a drop of nearly 300 kWh per person over four years. On the brighter side, the generation of low-carbon electricity has seen a promising uptick, with a per capita output of 1356 kWh, surpassing the previous record by around 41 kWh. Although the total electricity consumption has dipped, the progress in clean energy generation offers an encouraging signal for the Cook Islands' commitment to sustainable energy practices.
Suggestions
To further bolster low-carbon electricity generation, the Cook Islands can focus on the expansion of solar power, given its already significant contribution. Observing successful strategies from other nations can offer valuable insights. Countries like Denmark and Uruguay have embraced wind energy, generating over 50% and 28% of their electricity, respectively, from this source. Although nuclear energy constitutes a substantial portion of electricity in countries such as France and Slovakia, the Cook Islands might find it more feasible to continue leveraging solar power and explore potential wind energy applications, an approach seen in similar island nations like Cape Verde. By harnessing these strategies, the Cook Islands could significantly increase their share of clean energy in electricity generation.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in the Cook Islands over the years has maintained a steady course. Since 2017, solar energy has consistently contributed to the nation's electricity mix but has not seen notable expansion. This stability indicates that while there have been no significant advancements or increases in solar generation from 2017 to 2022, there also hasn't been any regression. Looking ahead, the Cook Islands have the opportunity to learn from other nations' successes and consider strategic investments to expand their solar infrastructure. Such efforts could escalate the transformation towards a clean energy future, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing the sustainability of their electricity sources.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.