Kiribati's electricity consumption in 2022 was quite modest, with the average person using approximately 307 kWh. In the context of clean electricity, all electricity generated in Kiribati is solar-based, amounting to about 77 kWh per person, which is more than a quarter of the total consumption. This leaves the remaining consumption reliant on fossil fuels. Compared to the global average of 3736 kWh per person, Kiribati's electricity usage is extremely low, which raises concerns about the possible limitations on economic growth and quality of life for its residents. Low levels of electricity generation can lead to inadequate power supply for homes, businesses, and essential services, affecting everything from healthcare to education.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Kiribati?
When looking at the growth trend of electricity consumption in Kiribati, it's concerning to observe that consumption decreased from its peak in 2019, when it was 323 kWh per person. The decrease to 307 kWh per person in 2022 reflects a drop of 16 kWh per person or about 5%. This stagnant or declining trend is worrisome, especially when considering the pace of global electrification and the increasing demand for electricity. Low-carbon electricity generation, purely from solar sources in Kiribati, also fell slightly from 81 kWh per person in 2019 to 77 kWh per person in 2022. This represents a minor decline in clean energy progress, highlighting the urgent need to boost these efforts to keep pace with growing global standards for clean energy.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity in Kiribati, focusing on expanding solar energy infrastructure is highly recommended, given its current contribution to the power mix. Kiribati can learn valuable lessons from high-output regions that have successfully scaled their solar and other low-carbon technologies. For instance, countries like the United States and China have made significant strides in solar and wind electricity. The United States generates 373 TWh from solar and a substantial amount from wind, while China harnesses 1170 TWh of solar and 1130 TWh of wind energy. These examples illustrate the potential for expansive solar projects in Kiribati. Moreover, embracing nuclear energy, as seen in countries like the United States and France, could offer Kiribati a diversified energy strategy capable of further reducing dependency on fossil fuels while improving energy security.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Kiribati, particularly solar, indicates stagnation without any recorded growth from 2019 to 2022. Each year in this period saw no increase in solar electricity generation. This lack of progress over recent years is troubling, as the energy landscape globally is rapidly transforming towards enhanced sustainability. Significant investment and policy reform are needed to shift from this state of stagnation towards a dynamic growth model. Learnings from other regions can serve as a beacon for igniting progress in Kiribati's clean energy journey. With the backing of strong international cooperation and local community support, Kiribati can transform its energy sector to better meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond, ensuring a sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon future.
