Electricity in New Caledonia in 2022

In 2022, New Caledonia's electricity consumption was significantly dependent on fossil fuels, contributing to more than 70% of the total electricity generated. Coal alone accounted for close to 37%. On the other hand, low-carbon sources such as hydropower, solar, and wind made up slightly more than a quarter of the electricity mix. Hydropower was the predominant clean electricity source, comprising around 17%, while solar energy contributed nearly 7.5%, and wind energy provided less than 1.5%. This indicates that while there is some progress in adopting clean electricity, fossil fuels still dominate New Caledonia's electricity landscape.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, New Caledonia can draw inspiration from global examples, particularly in solar and wind energy, areas in which it has already invested. For instance, Lebanon generates almost a third of its electricity through solar power, demonstrating that solar initiatives could be more aggressively pursued in regions with abundant sunlight. Additionally, Denmark harnesses over half of its electricity from wind, setting a high benchmark for wind energy utilization. By following these strategies adopted by countries with similar renewable profiles, New Caledonia can significantly augment its clean electricity capacity while also considering nuclear energy, a reliable, clean, and sustainable source, to diversify its energy mix further.

History

Historically, New Caledonia's journey with low-carbon electricity, particularly hydropower, has seen both ups and downs. In the early 2000s, there were minor fluctuations in hydroelectric output, with slight declines in 2001 and 2006, followed by some increases in subsequent years like 2007 and 2008. From 2009 onwards, hydropower showed gradual progress with minor ups and downs, ultimately experiencing a period of stabilization in the early 2010s and small upward trends towards 2022. Furthermore, solar energy marked its presence in 2019 and continued a positive trajectory through to 2022. These trends suggest that New Caledonia has a foundation of low-carbon electricity to build on, and there is an opportunity to expand its portfolio with more investments and advancements in clean energy technologies.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources