In 2022, Martinique displayed a significant reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation, with more than three-quarters of its electric power stemming from these sources. Low-carbon energy sources account for about a quarter of the total electricity generated, with biofuels being the largest contributor among them at nearly 17%. Solar energy contributes slightly more than 6% to the low-carbon mix, while wind energy provides almost 3%. These figures underscore an urgent need for Martinique to transition towards low-carbon and clean energy solutions, as reliance on fossil fuels can contribute to climate change and air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Martinique?
When examining the trends in Martinique's electricity consumption, the data from 2022 indicates a slight decrease in overall use compared to the record year of 2019, dropping from 4310 kWh/person to 4264 kWh/person. However, a positive shift is noted in low-carbon electricity generation. The latest data shows an uptick from the previous high in 2019, increasing to 1116 kWh/person of low-carbon electricity, marking a better contribution by 32 kWh/person. This positive trend in clean energy generation is a silver lining amid overall consumption stagnation, indicating that Martinique is making strides toward a greener electricity mix.
Suggestions
To substantially increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Martinique can take cues from successful examples worldwide. For instance, it can look to countries with similar sizes and resources, such as Cape Verde and Cyprus, which have embraced wind and solar energy, respectively. Denmark and Ireland show the potential of wind energy, accounting for more than a quarter of their electricity generation, while Lebanon stands out with over 30% of its electricity coming from solar. Learning from these successful models, Martinique could strategically invest in expanding solar infrastructure, given its ample sunlight, and perhaps explore the feasibility of integrating nuclear energy for a stable and clean electricity supply.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Martinique reflects a pattern of slow growth through the last decades. From 2007 to 2012, the introduction of geothermal and solar energy did not lead to increases in output. The late 2010s, particularly 2018 and 2019, marked a turning point with biofuels contributing some growth, adding 0.3 TWh over two years. During this period, wind and solar recorded little to no growth, illustrated by zero-increment years spanning 2018 to 2021. The most recent data from 2022 still highlights ongoing stagnation in wind and solar expansion, underscoring the need for a more aggressive approach to adopting clean energy technologies to enhance Martinique's energy resilience and reduce dependency on fossil fuel imports.