In 2022, the Cook Islands reached a balanced state in their electricity consumption, with half of it derived from low-carbon sources and the other half from fossil fuels. Solar energy shines brightly, contributing to the entire portion of the low-carbon segment, indicating the impressive integration of sustainable energy solutions. As a result, Cook Islands is on a promising path towards reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which are known for their adverse environmental effects such as climate change and air pollution. By embracing clean energy, the nation is laying down a foundation for a more sustainable and greener future.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Cook Islands?
The latest electricity consumption figure of 2,720 kWh per person in 2022 marks a decline from the previous record of 3,015 kWh per person in 2018, a drop of 295 kWh per person. However, the generation of low-carbon electricity has shown a positive trend, with the latest record in 2022 of 1,360 kWh per person surpassing the previous peak set in 2021 by 41 kWh per person. This increase in low-carbon generation is commendable, reflecting ongoing efforts to switch towards clean energy, even though the overall electricity consumption numbers indicate a need for further growth to sustain future demand and electrification.
Suggestions
To bolster the growth of low-carbon electricity generation in the Cook Islands, an expansion in solar energy projects offers a prudent path forward given its substantial current role. Drawing inspiration from successful regions worldwide, adopting wind energy, akin to the advancements seen in countries like Denmark, with wind providing almost 60% of their electricity, can help diversify energy sources. Furthermore, although the Cook Islands do not currently generate nuclear energy, taking cues from nuclear-powered countries such as France, where around 70% of the electricity is generated from nuclear sources, could prove beneficial in the long-term strategic energy planning for the nation.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in the Cook Islands, particularly solar energy, has seen consistent stability in recent years. From 2017 through 2022, solar energy maintained a constant level of presence in the electricity mix without any explicit increases or decreases reported in generation figures. While the consistency is promising in maintaining a baseline of clean energy, it underscores a pressing need for a progressive approach to significantly enhance and expand solar capacity to further diminish reliance on fossil fuels and to meet increasing energy demands effectively. A committed growth in solar and exploring potential in nuclear could transform the energy landscape significantly for the Cook Islands.
