In French Polynesia, the current state of electricity consumption shows a significant reliance on fossil fuels, with more than half of the electricity (66.2%) being generated from such sources. However, there is also a substantial portion of electricity coming from low-carbon sources, collectively making up 33.8% of the total. Among low-carbon energy, hydropower is the most prominent, contributing almost a third (26.76%) to the total electricity mix, while solar power provides a modest share of 7.04%. This suggests that while there is an existing foundation of clean energy, there remains a considerable dependence on fossil fuels, which is a concern for sustainable development and climate change mitigation efforts.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in French Polynesia?
Electricity consumption in French Polynesia has not shown growth in recent years. In 2022, the total electricity consumption per person was 2,533 kWh, which is a significant decrease from the peak in 2010 when it was 2,920 kWh per person. This represents a decline of 387 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation also fell from 998 kWh per person in 2010 to 856 kWh per person in 2022, marking a decrease of 142 kWh per person. These figures indicate a worrying trend of stagnation and decline in both overall and low-carbon electricity consumption, which may hinder efforts to transition to a more sustainable energy system and satisfy future energy demands consistent with electrification and technological advances.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, French Polynesia could learn from various successful regions. Embracing solar energy, like Nevada, which generates 30% of its electricity from solar, or Lebanon with 31%, could significantly boost the clean energy share. Additionally, while nuclear power isn't currently part of French Polynesia's mix, considering it could draw inspiration from countries like Slovakia and France, where nuclear energy makes up over 67% and 69% of electricity generation, respectively, might provide insights. Investments in solar, given the region's favorable climate, along with exploring the feasibility of nuclear energy, could provide long-term sustainable electricity solutions to meet growing demands while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in French Polynesia is characterized by relatively stable hydropower output and a gradual introduction of solar power. Between the early 2000s and the early 2010s, hydropower saw minimal change, with a slight increase of 0.1 TWh in 2010, followed by a similar reduction in 2011. Around the same period, solar power became a part of the energy mix, though without significant increases until the more recent years. Since 2013, there have been minor adjustments, with solar consistently contributing small but steady amounts. Overall, the data reflects a need for a more dynamic and robust growth in low-carbon energy sources to ensure sustainable electricity supply and align with global clean energy targets.
