In 2020, Gibraltar relied entirely on fossil fuels for its electricity: fossil sources accounted for 100% of consumption, while low-carbon sources contributed none in the supplied data. This leaves substantial scope to develop clean electricity, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and their associated climate impacts and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Gibraltar?

Electricity consumption per person was below its historical peak, rather than setting a new record. In 2020, it stood at about 5,500 kWh per person, compared with roughly 6,800 kWh in 2015—a decline of about 1,200 kWh, or 18%. These figures do not establish whether consumption fell every year, but the gap is concerning as electrification increases future electricity needs. Low-carbon electricity generation remained at zero kWh per person, unchanged from the recorded benchmark in 1990, showing no progress on this measure.

Suggestions

Gibraltar should prioritize solar electricity on rooftops and other suitable built surfaces, learning from nearby Spain and the Mediterranean islands of Cyprus and Malta. Solar supplies about 23% of electricity generation in Spain and Cyprus, and around 11% in Malta. Spain also demonstrates the value of a diversified clean electricity mix, generating about 20% from wind and 18% from nuclear. Gibraltar could assess suitable wind projects and explore regional partnerships or future electricity connections that provide access to nuclear generation. France, where nuclear supplies about two-thirds of electricity generation, illustrates the substantial contribution nuclear can make to a low-carbon electricity system.

History

The supplied historical information is limited: no year-by-year changes in low-carbon electricity generation were included. The available benchmarks show zero low-carbon generation per person in both 1990 and 2020, providing no evidence of a sustained clean electricity expansion across those three decades. That lack of demonstrated progress is disappointing and reinforces the case for developing solar and pursuing access to other low-carbon electricity sources, including nuclear.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade