Electricity in Macao SAR China in 2022

In 2022, Macao SAR China had a distinctive pattern in electricity consumption, primarily importing the vast majority of its electricity, with more than 90% being net imports. Fossil fuels, including gas, contributed to a little over 5% of Macao's electricity consumption. In terms of low-carbon energy, almost 3.5% of electricity consumption came from biofuels, but regrettably, other clean energy technologies were nearly absent. This reliance on fossil fuels and imports underscores the pressing need for Macao to diversify its energy sources and increase its low-carbon energy generation.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Macao can consider expanding its use of nuclear, wind, and solar power, drawing inspiration from other countries that have successfully embraced these technologies. France and Slovakia, for example, rely heavily on nuclear energy, with about 68% and 60% of their electricity generated from nuclear power, respectively. Regions such as Denmark have made significant strides in wind energy, with nearly 59% of their electricity generated from wind. Given Macao's geographic and economic characteristics as a small, densely-populated city, investing in rooftop solar panels complemented by nuclear power could offer a stable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly energy solution. Moreover, wind energy options could be explored, especially with offshore wind's emerging viability in coastal regions, similar to initiatives in countries like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

History

Historically, Macao SAR China has seen very modest contributions from biofuels in its low-carbon electricity generation. From 2001 to 2022, the contribution of biofuels fluctuated slightly but remained around essentially negligible levels, with a brief increase of 0.1 TWh in 2001 and 2003. Unfortunately, since then, there has been no consistent growth in this or any other low-carbon energy type. This stagnation highlights the urgent need for Macao to strategically plan and invest in sustainable energy infrastructure focusing on nuclear, wind, and solar power to transition towards more sustainable and cleaner electricity solutions.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources