Electricity in Guam in 2022
In Guam, the current state of electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with fossil energy accounting for more than 90% of the total electricity generation in 2022. Clean energy sources make up less than 10% of the mix, with solar power contributing the entire proportion of low-carbon electricity at nearly 8%. This imbalance highlights a strong dependence on non-sustainable energy sources, which can have detrimental effects such as exacerbating climate change and causing air pollution. Shifting towards more sustainable energy solutions would be a crucial step for Guam to mitigate these negative impacts.
Is Electricity Growing in Guam?
There is a noticeable decline in electricity consumption in Guam. In 2022, electricity usage per person was approximately 10,900 kWh, which reflects a decrease from the previous high recorded in 2000 of 12,119 kWh per person. This decline of over 1,200 kWh per person might raise concerns given the growing needs for electricity due to technological advancements and population growth. However, it is encouraging to see a positive trend in low-carbon electricity generation. In 2022, low-carbon electricity accounted for 847 kWh per person, which marks an increase of 353 kWh per person since the last record in 2019. This upward shift is a promising sign that Guam is beginning to embrace more sustainable electricity sources.
Suggestions
To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, Guam could draw inspiration from the practices of other countries that have successfully expanded their clean energy sectors. For example, places like Chile and Lebanon have made significant advancements in solar energy, with solar contributing around 20-30% of their electricity generation. This suggests that Guam could greatly benefit from a more significant investment and focus on solar energy technologies. Moreover, exploring nuclear energy as a potential alternative could provide a reliable and substantial source of clean electricity, as demonstrated by countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power contributes over 60% of their electricity generation. Implementing solar and exploring nuclear energy options could significantly help Guam transition towards a more sustainable electricity system.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in Guam, there has been a stable pattern in the development of clean energy. For several years, from 2015 to 2021, solar electricity generation remained steady without any recorded increase, signifying a period of stagnation. However, in 2022, there was a modest but notable uptick with a growth of 0.1 TWh in solar electricity generation compared to previous years. Although the increase might appear small, it represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of sustainable energy and indicates that Guam is starting to take action towards diversifying its electricity sources. Continuously building upon this progress is crucial for achieving a sustainable future in electricity generation for the island.