In 2022, electricity consumption in the Cook Islands was split evenly between low-carbon electricity and fossil fuels. Solar supplied the entire low-carbon half, accounting for 50% of electricity consumption, while fossil fuels supplied the other 50%. Solar therefore already plays a central role, but replacing the remaining fossil-fuel electricity would help reduce climate emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Cook Islands?

Electricity consumption per person remained below its historical peak. In 2022, it reached about 2,720 kWh per person, roughly 300 kWh, or 10%, below the 2018 record of 3,015 kWh. This shortfall is concerning as electrification will require more clean electricity. Encouragingly, low-carbon generation reached a new high of 1,360 kWh per person, about 40 kWh above its previous record in 2021—a gain of around 3%. Clean electricity is progressing, even though overall consumption per person has not regained its peak.

Suggestions

The Cook Islands should build on its strong solar foundation by expanding solar generation, supported by batteries and grid improvements to make more clean electricity available throughout the day. For a relevant island comparison, Cape Verde generates about 14% of its electricity from wind, suggesting that the Cook Islands could also investigate wind where local conditions are suitable. Denmark, with almost 60% wind electricity, offers further lessons in integrating variable generation. Nuclear should also be considered in long-term clean-electricity planning: France generates about two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear, demonstrating its contribution to a low-carbon supply. Any local nuclear proposal would need an assessment tailored to the Cook Islands’ electricity demand and island setting.

History

From 2017 through 2022, the supplied historical series records zero annual change in solar generation in every year, at the stated TWh precision. It therefore shows no measurable increase or decline across this period, although rounded figures can conceal smaller changes in a small electricity system. This apparent plateau highlights the importance of accelerating solar expansion. The record rise in low-carbon generation per person in 2022 is encouraging, but it does not by itself establish that total solar generation increased.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade