In 2022, almost two-thirds of Guadeloupe’s electricity consumption came from fossil fuels, while just over a third came from low-carbon sources. Coal alone supplied about 13% of electricity. Within the clean electricity share, biofuels contributed about 15% of total electricity, solar and wind each provided roughly 7%, and geothermal supplied about 6%. This leaves substantial room to expand clean electricity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, along with their climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Guadeloupe?

Guadeloupe’s electricity consumption had not surpassed its historical peak in 2022: it stood at about 4,260 kWh per person, compared with roughly 4,380 kWh in 2016—around 110 kWh, or 3%, below that record. This gap is concerning as electrification and AI create additional electricity demand, although comparison with a historical peak alone does not establish the latest annual trend. Encouragingly, low-carbon electricity generation reached a new record of about 1,480 kWh per person, exceeding the previous record set in 2021 by roughly 80 kWh per person, or 6%.

Suggestions

Guadeloupe should prioritize expanding solar electricity, drawing lessons from sunny island regions such as the US state of Hawaii and Cyprus, where solar supplies about 23% of electricity—more than three times Guadeloupe’s share. Rooftop installations, larger solar projects, storage, and grid upgrades could help translate these examples into local growth. Wind also offers scope for expansion: Ireland generates about 35% of its electricity from wind, illustrating what a strong coastal wind sector can achieve. Nuclear should also be considered through a locally appropriate feasibility assessment and cooperation with France, where it supplies about two-thirds of electricity. Together, solar, wind, and potential nuclear development could support a larger, cleaner electricity supply.

History

The reported history shows intermittent gains rather than continuous growth in low-carbon electricity. In the early 2000s, biofuel generation recorded no change in the listed years, while geothermal electricity increased by 0.1 TWh in 2005. The subsequent listed geothermal entries, spanning 2006 to 2022, show no further change at the reported precision. Solar added 0.1 TWh in 2012, and biofuels added 0.2 TWh in 2021 after several listed years without change. Wind and hydro also recorded no change in 2021. These additions are welcome, but the repeated periods of little reported progress underscore the need for sustained expansion, especially in solar and other clean electricity sources.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade