In 2022, the entire electricity consumption in Nauru was derived from fossil fuels. This reliance on fossil energy sources means that Nauru's electricity production is heavily dependent on carbon-intensive methods, contributing to climate change and adverse environmental impacts, including air pollution. The absence of low-carbon energy sources like nuclear, wind, or solar indicates that there are currently no efforts to diversify into more sustainable and ecologically friendly electricity generation methods. Ensuring a transition towards low-carbon energy sources could help reduce the environmental footprint and enhance energy security for the island.
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Nauru can explore investing in wind and solar technologies, which are viable given the geographical characteristics of the island nation. By examining the success of countries that have adopted clean energy technologies, Nauru can gain insights. Uruguay and Ireland have achieved about a third of their electricity generation from wind energy, while Greece stands out with about 22% from solar power. Nauru shares some similarities with Cyprus, where about 19% of electricity comes from solar, suggesting that solar energy could be particularly promising for Nauru. Emulating these examples could pave the way for a significant reduction in dependency on fossil fuels by harnessing the sun and wind. Furthermore, considering the global emphasis on nuclear energy, a feasibility study on incorporating modular nuclear technologies could also be beneficial in the long term.
In recent decades, Nauru has not demonstrated any increase in the share of low-carbon electricity generation, maintaining a stagnant scenario where fossil fuels power all electricity consumption. The absence of any developments or changes in adopting low-carbon energy sources indicates a strong dependency on conventional energy with no strategic shift towards green energy observed. As global challenges related to energy transition and climate action become increasingly urgent, moving away from this static position by incorporating innovations from other nations will be crucial for sustainable progress in electricity generation in Nauru. Enhancing efforts towards integrating low-carbon sources, even on a small scale initially, could set the foundation for a greener and more sustainable future for Nauru.