Electricity in Martinique in 2021

In 2021, Martinique's electricity consumption was predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with more than three-quarters of the electricity, precisely 74.17%, being generated from these sources. This dominance highlights a significant challenge in terms of environmental sustainability, given the associated impacts of fossil fuels like climate change and air pollution. On the brighter side, low-carbon energy sources accounted for nearly a quarter of the electricity generation, breaking down into biofuels at almost 17%, solar energy around 6%, and wind energy contributing to over 3% of the electricity mix. These figures suggest that while there is a foundation for cleaner energy, Martinique still has considerable room for improvement in transitioning to a more sustainable energy future.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Martinique could draw valuable lessons from countries that have successfully increased their share of clean energy. Although Martinique currently benefits from wind and solar, it could further explore options such as nuclear power, as demonstrated by France, where nuclear energy contributes to a substantial 68% of electricity generation. Furthermore, Martinique could learn from Denmark's impressive wind energy accomplishments, contributing 59% to its electricity generation, along with other countries that have effectively integrated wind such as Ireland and Uruguay, both at 33%. These examples highlight that a diverse mix of low-carbon energy sources, including potentially nuclear, wind, and solar, can be pivotal in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

History

Looking back at Martinique's history of low-carbon electricity generation, it becomes clear that the island has experienced modest growth, primarily in biofuels in recent years. From 2018 onwards, biofuels provided occasional growth, peaking in 2019 with an increase of 0.2 TWh. However, there was no notable development in geothermal energy, nor consistent growth in solar and wind, reflecting a missed opportunity for diversification of clean energy sources over the years. This historical perspective underscores the need for a strategic shift and greater investment in diverse low-carbon energy sources to harness the potential of solar, wind, and possibly nuclear energy, which have remarkably transformed electricity generation landscapes elsewhere.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources