In New Caledonia, the electricity consumption pattern in 2022 reveals a heavy reliance on fossil energy, which contributes to climate change and air pollution. More than half of the electricity, approximately 74%, comes from fossil sources, with coal alone contributing to nearly 37%. On the greener side, around a quarter of the electricity is derived from low-carbon sources. Within this category, hydropower represents the largest share, accounting for close to 17%, while solar energy contributes around 7%. Wind energy, though present, adds just over 1% to the mix. This reliance on fossil energy highlights the need for New Caledonia to transition further towards clean energy solutions.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in New Caledonia?
In terms of electricity consumption, New Caledonia has experienced a troubling decrease. In 2022, the average person consumed 10,763 kWh of electricity, compared to a peak of 12,345 kWh per person in 2018; this represents a decrease of 1,582 kWh. However, there is a silver lining when it comes to the low-carbon electricity sector. There was an encouraging increase in low-carbon electricity generation, rising to 2,821 kWh per person in 2022 from a previous high of 2,279 kWh in 2021, marking an increase of 542 kWh. This growth in the clean energy sector is a positive development, but overall consumption decline is a concerning sign that calls for strategic planning and investment in sustainable energy infrastructure.
Suggestions
To further boost low-carbon electricity generation, New Caledonia can take a leaf from several successful regions around the world. The island should look to countries that have substantially harnessed solar energy, like Cyprus and Chile, each generating about 23% of their electricity from solar power. Moreover, investing in nuclear energy could be a game-changer. France sets a commendable example with 67% of its electricity coming from nuclear power. Drawing inspiration from such pioneers, New Caledonia should prioritize expanding its solar farms and consider the viability of nuclear energy as a reliable, clean electricity source to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and meet future electricity demands.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in New Caledonia over recent decades shows moderate but significant achievements, especially in hydropower and solar energy. Between the early 2000s and the early 2010s, variations in hydropower contributions were minor, hovering mainly around increments or decrements of 0.1 TWh. The late 2010s saw the initial push towards solar power, with a modest addition of 0.1 TWh in 2019. Continued progress was evident in 2021 and 2022, with both hydropower and solar contributions inching forward. These incremental yet consistent developments reflect a growing awareness and pursuit of sustainable electricity solutions—trends that are crucial for New Caledonia's energy future. Investments and policies now should aim to intensify these early strides and embrace even bolder steps towards a cleaner energy future.
