In 2022, the electricity consumption profile in Martinique was heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which constituted nearly three-quarters of the total electricity generated. Meanwhile, more than a quarter of the electricity came from low-carbon or clean sources, illustrating some progress toward a more sustainable electricity mix. Among the low-carbon sources, biofuels provided nearly 17% of the electricity, while solar contributed to a bit more than 6%, and wind energy accounted for about 3%. Despite some growth in these cleaner sources, the region still has significant room to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation to reduce its dependency on polluting fossil fuels.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Martinique?
The trajectory of electricity consumption in Martinique has seen some slight fluctuations over recent years. In 2022, electricity consumption was 4264 kWh per person, which is slightly lower than the historic record of 4311 kWh per person set in 2019. This decrease of 46 kWh per person indicates a minor decline in electricity use. However, it's notable that during this same period, electricity generated from low-carbon sources increased, setting a new record of 1116 kWh per person up from 1085 kWh per person in 2019. This positive trend highlights growing adoption of cleaner energy, which is essential for sustainable development.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation further, Martinique can look to regions that have successfully harnessed certain energy types. For solar energy, Lebanon's achievement of generating 31% of its electricity from solar serves as a significant example. Regarding wind energy, Denmark's generation of 49% from wind is commendable and could inspire similar integration in Martinique. Additionally, following countries like France, which generates 69% of its electricity from nuclear energy, Martinique could significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by exploring potential nuclear energy projects. These insights highlight the potential pathways for Martinique to strengthen its clean electricity framework and address the challenges posed by climate change and air pollution.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Martinique shows limited but gradual advancements, particularly in the past few decades. Since 2007, the introduction of solar and geothermal energy did not show growth in its initial years; significant activity in electricity generation began around 2018 with biofuels, which contributed to a rising trend in clean electricity generation. Wind energy also made noticeable entries in 2018 and 2019. However, the years following 2019 up till 2022 showed stagnation without any growth in these sectors, emphasizing a critical need for policies and investments that sustain and accelerate the development of low-carbon electricity sources in the coming years. Achieving more substantial progress will be essential to ensuring a greener future for Martinique's electricity supply.
