In 2022, Réunion's electricity generation was predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, which composed nearly two-thirds of its electricity mix. Coal had a significant share among fossil fuels, accounting for more than a quarter of the electricity consumption. However, low-carbon sources made up a substantial portion of the energy mix as well, contributing a little over a third of the electricity. The most significant low-carbon source was hydropower, representing around 19% of the total electricity. Solar and biofuels contributed approximately 8% and 7%, respectively. The reliance on both fossil fuels and low-carbon sources highlights a mixed approach to electricity generation on the island, indicating room for improvement in the quest for cleaner energy solutions.
Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Réunion?
In examining the growth of electricity consumption in Réunion, the statistics from 2022 show a decline compared to previous years. The total electricity consumption per person was 3867 kWh, a notable decrease from the record 4400 kWh per person set in 2020. This represents a drop of 533 kWh per person, signaling a concerning trend of stagnation in electricity use. On a more positive note, low-carbon electricity generation reached its highest level since 2013, with each person consuming 1320 kWh of low-carbon electricity. This amount marks an increase of 57 kWh per person compared to the previous high. Although low-carbon electricity generation is showing signs of growth, overall electricity consumption is not, which could hinder efforts to meet future energy demands.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Réunion can look to successful regions and nations that have embraced sustainable energy, particularly solar and nuclear. The impressive solar power achievements in regions like California and Lebanon, with around 30-31% of their electricity generated from solar, serve as exemplary models for Réunion to mimic, given their similar climate conditions. Additionally, countries such as France and Slovakia have made considerable strides with nuclear energy, reaching approximately two-thirds of their electricity from this low-carbon source. Réunion could benefit from investing in nuclear energy to complement its solar initiatives, offering a reliable and sustainable energy mix to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change impacts.
History
In the history of low-carbon electricity generation in Réunion, notable fluctuations have been observed over the decades. During the early 2000s, changes in hydropower generation occurred frequently, with both increases and decreases of up to 0.1 TWh annually. Biofuels saw a marginal increase in 2004, but not much else. The following years showed sporadic advancements in both solar and hydro, with significant improvements in hydro or solar every few years. By 2018, hydro experienced a significant growth of 0.2 TWh, though it was offset somewhat by a decrease in biofuels. The most recent data in 2022 highlighted a promising increase of 0.3 TWh in hydropower, indicating a positive trend towards embracing cleaner electricity. Such continuous, albeit fluctuating, growth in low-carbon electricity generation suggests a willingness to advance sustainable electricity in Réunion, although more decisive action could accelerate this transition.
