Electricity in New Caledonia in 2022

As of 2022, electricity consumption in New Caledonia heavily relies on fossil fuels, which account for over 80% of the total electricity generation, with coal alone contributing more than 40%. Low-carbon or clean energy sources make up close to 17% of the electricity mix. Among these low-carbon sources, hydropower constitutes roughly 8%, solar power contributes almost 7%, and wind power adds around 2%. The vast reliance on fossil fuels poses significant challenges, including high greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, suggesting a strong need for New Caledonia to pivot towards more sustainable energy options.

Suggestions

New Caledonia can look towards successful international examples to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation. Countries like Denmark and Uruguay demonstrate high percentages of their electricity from wind power, at 53% and 35%, respectively. These countries have successfully harnessed their geographic advantages and technology to capitalize on wind energy, which New Caledonia could similarly exploit given its island geography. Additionally, despite not having significant nuclear energy infrastructure, New Caledonia can learn from France, where nuclear power constitutes 65% of the electricity mix, by exploring potential partnerships or technological exchanges in nuclear power development. By building out its wind and solar capabilities further and considering nuclear investments, New Caledonia can significantly reduce its dependency on fossil fuels.

History

Historically, New Caledonia's low-carbon electricity generation has shown modest fluctuations, primarily in hydropower. In the early 2000s, hydropower saw minor changes with some small increases and decreases, notably a decrease of 0.1 TWh in 2001 and another in 2006, countered by similar increments in select years like 2007 and 2008. Solar energy began to play a role in 2019, contributing 0.1 TWh, alongside relatively steady hydropower generation in that year. Subsequent years saw minor adjustments, with hydro fluctuating slightly and solar maintaining a steady output. This historical context highlights both the challenges and opportunities for future expansion in the low-carbon sector, outlining a need for sustained and enhanced investments in solar, wind, and possibly nuclear energy for a more substantial impact.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources