In 2022, Macao SAR China relied on net imports for about 91% of its electricity consumption. Locally generated fossil electricity supplied around 5%, with gas accounting for almost all of that share. Low-carbon generation supplied roughly 4%, entirely from biofuels in the reported data. The sources behind imported electricity are not specified, so the imports cannot be classified as either low-carbon or fossil-based from these figures alone.

Is Electricity Growing in Macao SAR China?

Electricity consumption per person was below its historical peak in 2022, rather than setting a new growth record. It reached about 7,600 kWh per person, roughly 1,100 kWh—or 12%—below the 2019 record. Domestic low-carbon electricity generation was also below its peak: 284 kWh per person, compared with 426 kWh in 2014, a decline of one-third. These shortfalls are concerning as electrification and growing digital infrastructure call for more clean electricity, although comparisons with record years alone do not establish the latest year-to-year trend.

Suggestions

Macao could increase local low-carbon generation by expanding rooftop and building-integrated solar on residential, commercial and public buildings. Compact Malta, where solar supplies 11% of electricity generation, offers a particularly relevant example; the US state of Hawaii, at 23%, also demonstrates solar’s contribution in a geographically constrained setting. Nuclear should feature in Macao’s longer-term planning through consideration of local options and regional partnerships supporting additional nuclear generation and dedicated clean electricity supplies. South Korea generates a quarter of its electricity from nuclear, while France generates about two-thirds, illustrating its substantial contribution. Regional nuclear cooperation would complement local solar, though imported nuclear electricity would remain imports rather than count as Macao’s own generation.

History

The reported history of Macao’s low-carbon electricity generation shows modest increases followed by long periods of little change. Biofuel generation rose by 0.1 TWh in both 2001 and 2003, while the other listed years through 2014 recorded no change at the data’s reporting precision. Generation then fell by 0.1 TWh in 2015, and every listed year from 2017 through 2022 again showed no change. Overall, this is a history of early gains followed by stagnation and a setback, underlining the need for a new phase of clean electricity growth led by solar and nuclear opportunities.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade