In 2022, Macao SAR China relied on net imports for about 91% of its electricity consumption. Locally generated fossil electricity supplied around 5%, including nearly 5% from gas, while low-carbon generation supplied almost 4%, entirely from biofuels. Gas is part of the fossil total, not an additional category. Because the sources of imported electricity are not specified, these figures do not establish the low-carbon or fossil share of Macao’s overall electricity consumption.

Is Electricity Growing in Macao SAR China?

Electricity consumption per person was below its historical peak rather than setting a new growth record. In 2022, consumption reached about 7,610 kWh per person, roughly 1,060 kWh, or 12%, below the 2019 record. Local low-carbon electricity generation was also below its peak: 284 kWh per person, about 140 kWh, or one-third, below its 2014 record. These shortfalls underline the need to expand clean electricity supplies for future electrification and growing demand, including from AI. However, comparisons with record years alone do not show whether consumption rose or fell from 2021 to 2022.

Suggestions

Macao can increase local low-carbon generation by expanding rooftop and building-integrated solar, learning from densely developed places such as Malta, where solar supplies about 11% of electricity generation. The Netherlands, with roughly 19% solar generation, offers another useful example of substantial solar deployment in a developed setting. Nuclear should also be part of Macao’s long-term clean electricity planning: South Korea generates a quarter of its electricity from nuclear, while France generates about two-thirds. Macao should consider nuclear development through regional cooperation, alongside securing additional nuclear-generated electricity through its existing import connections. Such imports would increase clean electricity supply, although they would not count as local generation.

History

The supplied history of Macao’s low-carbon electricity generation consists entirely of biofuels. Generation increased by about 0.1 TWh in both 2001 and 2003, with no reported changes in the other listed years through 2014. A decline of about 0.1 TWh followed in 2015, and the listed years from 2017 through 2022 show no further changes. Overall, the record shows early gains followed by a decline and prolonged stagnation, rather than sustained expansion of clean electricity generation—strengthening the case for a new phase of solar development and regional nuclear cooperation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade