Electricity in Gibraltar in 2020

In 2020, Gibraltar's electricity consumption relied entirely on fossil fuels, with 100% of its electricity generated from fossil energy sources. This complete dependency on fossil fuels means that Gibraltar's electricity generation contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, impacting both local air quality and the global climate. The lack of investment in low-carbon or clean energy sources highlights an urgent need for diversification to sustain long-term environmental and economic health.

Suggestions

To transition towards a cleaner electricity generation mix, Gibraltar can look to successful models from other countries. For instance, France generates more than two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear power, showcasing a viable route for stable and large-scale low-carbon energy production. Similarly, countries like Denmark and Ireland generate most of their electricity from wind power, demonstrating that wind energy can be a substantial part of the mix even in small or densely populated regions. Additionally, Greece, while not significantly larger than Gibraltar, produces over 20% of its electricity from solar, indicating that solar energy could also be a practical solution for Gibraltar given its sunny climate. By investing in both nuclear and wind, and to a lesser extent solar, Gibraltar can significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

History

Historically, Gibraltar has not made significant strides in generating low-carbon electricity, given the data showing absolute dependence on fossil fuels in 2020. The data suggests there haven’t been any abrupt increases or decreases in low-carbon electricity generation in recent history, reflecting a stagnation in efforts to diversify its energy mix. Without substantial changes or shifts towards green energy in the past, it is clear that Gibraltar must actively adopt policies and investments in nuclear, wind, and solar to catch up with global trends and secure a sustainable future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources