In French Polynesia, the state of electricity generation is characterized by a predominant reliance on fossil energy, with more than 66% of electricity being generated from these sources. Low-carbon energy, which constitutes about 34% of total electricity consumption, plays a crucial role but represents a smaller share. Within this segment, hydropower is the most significant contributor, providing close to 27% of electricity, while solar energy adds a little over 7%. Together, these low-carbon sources reflect French Polynesia's potential to diversify its energy mix towards cleaner alternatives, yet there is still considerable room for transition from fossil fuels.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in French Polynesia?
Despite a visible presence of low-carbon energy, the overall trend in electricity consumption indicates a decline rather than growth. In 2022, the per capita electricity consumption was 2533 kWh, marking a significant drop from the previous record of 2920 kWh per person set in 2010. This represents a decline of 387 kWh per person. Correspondingly, the generation of low-carbon electricity has decreased as well, with the latest figures of 856 kWh per person falling short of the 998 kWh recorded in 2010 by 142 kWh. This downward trend is concerning, given the increasing need for electricity to support electrification and technological advancements.
Suggestions
French Polynesia can benefit from looking at successful regions when planning to increase its low-carbon electricity generation. Regions like Nevada and California have achieved substantial shares of solar electricity, with Nevada reaching 34% and California at 31%. Moreover, countries such as France and Slovakia, which generate more than half of their electricity from nuclear sources, demonstrate the effectiveness of nuclear in providing a sustainable and clean energy supply. By investing in solar energy, which aligns with French Polynesia's tropical environment, and exploring options for nuclear power, French Polynesia can better position itself to expand its low-carbon energy capacity while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in French Polynesia highlights periods of minor fluctuation but generally consistent levels of hydropower with some solar additions in more recent years. From 2001 to 2022, hydropower generation saw minor changes, with a slight increase of 0.1 TWh in 2010 followed by an equal decrease in 2011 and 2013. After 2013, there were no significant changes until the introduction of solar power, which started in 2011 but saw limited developments until the present day. Over the years, these trends underline the importance of strategic investments and development plans to further enhance low-carbon electricity generation and stabilizing the overall energy mix for future resilience.
