In 2022, New Caledonia's electricity generation heavily relied on fossil fuels, with more than half of its electricity produced from these sources. Coal was the largest contributor among these fossil fuels, making up almost 37% of electricity generation. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources accounted for approximately a quarter of the total electricity mix. Within the clean energy segment, hydropower contributed nearly 17.5%, while solar energy provided 7.4%, indicating that New Caledonia is starting to explore the advantages of solar technology. Wind energy, however, constituted a small portion at just over 1%, highlighting an area for potential growth in clean electricity production.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in New Caledonia?
Despite the emphasis on clean energy, New Caledonia's overall electricity consumption in 2022 saw a decrease compared to previous records in 2018. The per capita consumption decreased from 12,345 kWh to 10,763 kWh, marking a decline of 1,582 kWh. However, a positive trend has emerged in the area of low-carbon electricity generation, which increased in 2022 to 2,821 kWh per person from 2,279 kWh in 2021, a promising upward shift of 542 kWh. This growth underscores the region's efforts to expand its clean energy capacity and underscores that while overall electricity consumption decreased, New Caledonia is moving in a positive direction toward increasing its share of low-carbon energy.
Suggestions
To further boost clean electricity generation, New Caledonia can learn from regions that have successfully increased their usage of solar and nuclear energy. For instance, Lebanon and Nevada have seen significant contributions of solar energy to their electricity mix, at 31% and 30% respectively. Similarly, countries like France and Slovakia have successfully achieved high percentages of nuclear power in their electricity production, at 69% and 67%, respectively. By investing in solar and nuclear power, New Caledonia can diversify and strengthen its electricity generation capabilities, provide cleaner energy to its residents, and meet future electricity demands in an environmentally sustainable manner.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in New Caledonia, hydropower has experienced various changes over the years. Throughout the early 2000s, hydropower saw modest fluctuations with minor increases and decreases. However, in more recent years, consistent progress has been noted, as 2017, 2021, and 2022 saw increments in hydropower generation. Solar energy made its debut in the region in 2019, further contributing to the rise in clean electricity. This positive trajectory in solar and hydro generation is commendable and indicates a concerted effort to transition to sustainable energy sources, paving the way for a greener future.
