In 2022, Réunion relied on fossil fuels for almost two-thirds of its electricity, while low-carbon sources supplied just over one-third. Coal alone accounted for about 28% of electricity consumption. Among clean sources, hydropower contributed around 19%, solar 8%, and biofuels 7%. Increasing clean electricity generation would help reduce fossil-fuel dependence and the associated climate impacts and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Réunion?

Réunion’s electricity consumption per person was below its previous peak, although low-carbon generation reached a new record. Total consumption stood at about 3,870 kWh per person in 2022, roughly 530 kWh, or 12%, below the 2020 record of 4,400 kWh. Meanwhile, low-carbon electricity generation reached 1,320 kWh per person, around 60 kWh above its previous record in 2013. This clean-electricity progress is encouraging, but the shortfall in overall electricity consumption highlights the importance of expanding clean supply to support future electrification and growing demand.

Suggestions

Réunion can build on its solar contribution by learning from other sunny island regions: solar supplies 23% of electricity in both Cyprus and the US state of Hawaii, compared with just 8% in Réunion. More rooftop and utility-scale solar, supported by storage and grid improvements, could substantially increase clean generation. Cape Verde, where wind supplies 14% of electricity, also offers a relevant island example for developing suitable wind resources. Réunion should additionally assess how nuclear electricity could contribute to its long-term clean-electricity strategy, drawing on France’s experience, where nuclear supplies about 67% of electricity, while tailoring any approach to the island’s grid and future demand.

History

Réunion’s low-carbon electricity history shows fluctuating hydropower output alongside early solar gains. During the 2000s, the listed annual hydropower changes alternated between increases and decreases of about 0.1 TWh, while biofuel generation rose by 0.1 TWh in 2004. Solar added about 0.1 TWh in each of 2010 and 2011. Hydropower continued to fluctuate through the 2010s, including a 0.2 TWh increase in 2018 followed by an equivalent decline in 2019; biofuel generation also fell by 0.1 TWh in 2018. After another 0.1 TWh hydropower decline in 2021, a strong 0.3 TWh rebound in 2022 was a welcome improvement. Sustained solar expansion alongside a broader clean-electricity portfolio would help turn these uneven gains into lasting growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade