Electricity in Greenland in 2022

In 2022, Greenland's electricity consumption from low-carbon sources is quite impressive, with more than three-quarters of its electricity coming from hydropowered solutions. This reliance on hydropower accounts for nearly 77% of the total electricity used, indicating a significant commitment to clean, sustainable energy. Despite this strong inclination towards green energy, fossil fuels still represent about 23% of the island's electricity consumption. This shows that while Greenland is well on its way to maintaining a clean energy profile, there is still room for improvement in reducing its dependency on fossil fuels, which are known contributors to climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation further, Greenland can look at successful examples from other countries. Denmark is an apt example for Greenland to model, as it generates more than half of its electricity from wind power, a feasible option given Greenland's vast and windy landscapes. Additionally, the widespread use of nuclear energy in countries like Slovakia, where it covers about 60% of electricity needs, demonstrates its potential as a stable and substantial component of a low-carbon energy portfolio. Investing in wind and considering nuclear options, while learning from countries making great strides in these areas, could help Greenland decrease its reliance on fossil fuels even further.

History

The evolution of low-carbon electricity in Greenland, particularly through hydropower, presents a stable yet limited growth since the early 2000s. For instance, from 2001 to 2008, there was no recorded increase in hydroelectric capacity. In 2009 and 2011, slight increments occurred, suggesting small but steady advancements. However, by 2022, this momentum suffered a setback with a recorded decrease in hydroelectric output. Despite these fluctuations, sustaining and expanding hydroelectric infrastructure remains an essential part of Greenland's clean energy efforts. Drawing on global breakthroughs in other low-carbon technologies, there remains great potential for Greenland to build a robust, diversified low-carbon energy grid.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources