In 2022, New Caledonia relied on fossil fuels for almost three-quarters of its electricity consumption, with coal alone accounting for about 37% of the total. Low-carbon sources supplied just over a quarter: hydropower contributed roughly 17%, solar about 7%, and wind around 1%. This leaves substantial scope to expand clean electricity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, along with their climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in New Caledonia?

Electricity consumption per person was below its historical peak, but low-carbon generation reached a new record. Total consumption in 2022 was about 10,800 kWh per person, around 1,600 kWh—or 13%—below the 2018 record of roughly 12,300 kWh. That shortfall is concerning as electrification and growing digital demand increase the need for electricity, although comparison with a record alone does not establish a year-to-year trend. Encouragingly, low-carbon generation reached about 2,800 kWh per person, nearly 550 kWh—or 24%—above its previous record in 2021. Clean electricity is therefore advancing even though overall consumption remains below its peak.

Suggestions

New Caledonia should prioritize expanding solar generation, supported by storage and grid upgrades, while developing suitable wind resources and considering nuclear electricity for its longer-term clean supply. Relevant island examples include the US state of Hawaii, where solar supplies 23% of electricity, and Cyprus, also at 23%; nearby Australia generates 21% from solar. Cape Verde’s 14% wind share offers another island example, while Denmark’s 59% illustrates how far wind can grow. For nuclear expertise, New Caledonia could look to France, which generates 67% of its electricity from nuclear power, and assess options suited to local electricity needs. Together, solar, wind and nuclear could support a larger, more dependable low-carbon electricity supply.

History

The supplied history shows hydropower fluctuating through the 2000s and 2010s rather than increasing steadily. Generation fell by 0.1 TWh in both 2001 and 2006, followed by gains of the same size in 2007 and 2008. During 2010–2018, several 0.1 TWh gains and declines were interrupted by a larger 0.2 TWh decrease in 2014, leaving little sustained progress across that period. More recently, the picture became more encouraging: solar added 0.1 TWh in 2019, hydropower increased by 0.1 TWh in both 2021 and 2022, and solar added another 0.1 TWh in 2022. These recent gains provide a welcome foundation for faster clean electricity growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade