Electricity in Luxembourg in 2024
In 2024, Luxembourg's electricity landscape is heavily characterized by reliance on net imports, which account for more than three-quarters of its electricity consumption. Low-carbon energy sources contribute a fifth of the electricity. Within this segment, biofuels and wind energy each provide a significant portion, around 7%, while solar power contributes about 5% and hydropower a little over 2%. Despite a global push for clean energy, fossil fuels play a very limited role in Luxembourg's electricity generation, amounting to just over 2%, primarily from gas. This limited reliance on fossil fuels aligns with a cleaner energy future, yet highlights the significant room for the expansion of domestic, low-carbon electricity sources.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Luxembourg can look at the successful strategies of countries that have effectively harnessed nuclear and wind energy. France, Slovakia, and Ukraine serve as prominent examples with substantial shares of their electricity coming from nuclear power, exceeding half of their electricity mix. Given Luxembourg's small size and high consumption, such clean energy programs can be particularly instructive. Similarly, neighboring Denmark and countries like Ireland have successfully integrated substantial wind energy into their grids. By focusing on nuclear and wind energy, Luxembourg could reduce its reliance on imported electricity and generate more sustainable and self-sufficient power domestically.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Luxembourg shows fluctuations primarily in hydropower, with its contribution varying notably since 1990. Early gains in the 1990s were often offset by declines, with significant drops observed at the turn of the century and into the 2010s. Nevertheless, a promising trend in the last few years is the uptick in wind and solar energy. Wind energy, first recorded in 2017, has seen moderate increases, with noticeable growth in 2023. Similarly, solar energy began contributing in 2022. While biofuels have shown minor growth, the emphasis should focus on expanding wind and solar capabilities further, alongside exploring nuclear energy solutions for a cleaner and more efficient electricity system.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.