Electricity in Martinique in 2021

As of 2021, Martinique's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which account for more than 74% of the total electricity generation. Low-carbon sources comprise just over a quarter of the electricity mix, with biofuels contributing almost 17%, solar energy around 6%, and wind energy at slightly more than 3%. This indicates a significant dependence on fossil energy, which poses challenges including greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, underscoring the urgent need to increase the share of clean energy in Martinique's electricity generation portfolio.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Martinique can draw inspiration from successful models globally. Notably, Denmark produces more than half of its electricity from wind energy, demonstrating the potential for significant contributions from wind power in regions with favorable conditions. Additionally, looking at nuclear energy, France generates about 65% of its electricity from nuclear power, showing a viable path for substantial, reliable, and clean electricity generation. Martinique could prioritize expanding wind and solar capacities in the short term, while also considering nuclear options for long-term stability and sustainability. These diversified strategies would not only reduce dependence on fossil fuels but also mitigate climate change and air pollution impacts.

History

Martinique's journey with low-carbon electricity has seen modest advancements over the years. From 2002 to 2017, geothermal energy made no significant contribution to electricity generation. Solar energy similarly saw no growth from its introduction in 2008 until 2012. However, there was a notable increase in biofuel-generated electricity in the late 2010s, with increments of 0.1 TWh in 2018 and 0.2 TWh in 2019. Meanwhile, wind energy has remained stagnant during the same period. These trends highlight the need for a more aggressive and diversified approach to growing all low-carbon energy sources, as well as learning from global leaders to create a robust and clean energy infrastructure.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources