Greenland has made impressive strides in adopting low-carbon electricity, with more than 87% of its electricity coming from clean sources like hydropower. This achievement underscores Greenland's commitment to sustainable energy and serves as a model of how to tap into clean resources to power modern life. Only close to 13% of Greenland's electricity is still generated from fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and air pollution. However, the journey of electrifying other crucial sectors, such as transport, heating, and industry, to create a harmonious and sustainable energy landscape for the future, remains a challenge that calls for much more electricity.
Is Electricity Growing in Greenland?
Addressing the question of electricity growth in Greenland, 2022 saw an increase in electricity consumption to 9,640 kWh per person, marking a modest growth from the previous record in 2018 of 9,269 kWh per person. This indicates that electricity consumption has been on an upward trajectory, growing by 371 kWh per person compared to 2018 levels. Moreover, low-carbon electricity generation per person continues to rise, showing a notable improvement over the previous years. In 2021, the low-carbon generation was 7,670 kWh per person, and by 2022 it had grown to 8,391 kWh per person—a commendable increase of 721 kWh per person. This growth in low-carbon generation highlights Greenland's continued commitment to clean energy.
Suggestions
To further boost low-carbon electricity generation, Greenland could consider expanding its electricity infrastructure to integrate more low-carbon sources such as solar and, notably, nuclear energy. Installing solar power can be an effective way to harness Greenland's natural daylight, even in cooler climates. Additionally, nuclear energy offers a complementary power source to hydropower with its capacity to provide a stable, reliable, and low-emission electricity supply. By diversifying their energy portfolio to include these clean sources, Greenland could meet the rising demand for electricity, support the electrification of new sectors, and further decrease its dependence on fossil fuels, thus consolidating its place as a leader in sustainable energy solutions.
History
Looking at the historical trajectory, Greenland's development of low-carbon electricity, mainly hydropower, has shown a steady pattern with minor incremental changes. From 2001 through 2008, there was no significant change in hydroelectric output. Beginning in 2009, a slight increase was observed with an additional 0.1 TWh of hydropower generation, which was mirrored again in 2011, marking minor but positive progress. This pattern continued with stability, fostering a foundation for Greenland's current electricity profile. The steady rise in clean electricity generation in the past decades has set a firm groundwork for future development. There were no significant declines, indicating a consistent commitment to maintaining and gradually enhancing its low-carbon electricity infrastructure.