Electricity in Cook Islands in 2022

In 2022, the electricity consumption in the Cook Islands was evenly split between clean energy sources and fossil fuels. Specifically, all of the electricity classified as low-carbon was derived from solar power, accounting for half of the total electricity generation. This reflects a significant achievement in adopting clean energy technologies, as solar power alone was responsible for providing more than half of the country's low-carbon electricity. The remaining electricity was generated through fossil fuels, pointing towards a balance that the Cook Islands should aim to shift more towards low-carbon sources to combat climate change and reduce air pollution.

Suggestions

To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, the Cook Islands should consider expanding their existing solar power infrastructure. Learning from countries that successfully harness low-carbon energies, such as Denmark, which generates over half of its electricity from wind, could guide these efforts. While nuclear energy plays a significant role in countries like France and Slovakia, the Cook Islands could draw particularly from similarly sized island nations like Cape Verde, which achieves a notable portion of its electricity from wind. Transitioning towards other forms of low-carbon technologies besides solar may diversify the energy mix and increase resilience within the grid.

History

The history of solar power in the Cook Islands from 2017 to 2022 shows a stable yet unchanging landscape, as no additional electricity generation from solar was recorded during these years. This period represents a stagnation rather than growth in solar energy, and suggests that the Cook Islands have yet to capitalize on the vast potential of expanding low-carbon electricity infrastructure. Increasing solar generation or integrating complementary low-carbon sources like wind or exploring small-scale, modular nuclear options could effectively alter this trajectory, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and reinforcing the commitment to sustainable energy production.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources