Electricity in French Polynesia in 2022

As of 2022, French Polynesia's electricity consumption is notably low compared to the global average. The current per capita electricity consumption stands at roughly 106 watts per person, which is significantly lower than the global average of 432 watts per person. A closer look at the energy mix shows a stark reliance on fossil fuels, with a majority of the electricity being generated from non-clean sources. Clean energy sources like hydro and solar contribute close to none in the overall electricity generation. This heavy dependency on fossil fuels not only impacts the environment negatively through increased carbon emissions and air pollution but also limits the scope for sustainable development.

Suggestions

French Polynesia can substantially benefit from increasing its low-carbon electricity generation. Looking at successful countries, French Polynesia can take inspiration from nations that have made significant strides in various low-carbon technologies. For instance, Brazil has effectively harnessed wind energy, generating 96 TWh, which is quite impressive. Similarly, Japan has made notable advancements in solar energy, generating 97 TWh. A diversified approach that includes both wind and solar, much like what Brazil and Japan have employed, could significantly boost French Polynesia's clean energy output. Additionally, integrating nuclear energy should also be on the agenda, considering countries like France and South Korea have seen tremendous success in this sector.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in French Polynesia has been relatively static, especially in terms of hydroelectric power. From 2001 to 2019, the hydroelectricity generation remained unchanged with slight fluctuations, including very minimal increases and decreases such as 0.1 TWh in 2010 and -0.1 TWh in 2011 and 2013. The introduction of solar power began in 2011, but similar to hydro, it showed no significant growth over the years, with no increase from its initial levels till 2021. This stagnant growth in both hydro and solar energy indicates a need for proactive measures and investments in expanding clean energy infrastructure. Leveraging global best practices and technology transfers could effectively catalyze French Polynesia's shift towards a more sustainable and clean electricity generation framework.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources