Electricity in Réunion in 2021

In 2021, the state of electricity consumption in Réunion was characterized by a predominant reliance on fossil energy sources, which accounted for nearly three-quarters of the electricity consumed. Specifically, coal energy contributed to almost a third of the total electricity generation. On the other hand, low-carbon energy sources made up a bit more than a quarter of Réunion's electricity. These sources included hydropower, which supplied around 12% of the electricity, solar power at just under 9%, and biofuels contributing close to 8%. Although Réunion has a notable share of clean energy, the heavy dependence on fossil fuels highlights the urgent need for a transition towards more sustainable energy sources to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts associated with carbon emissions.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Réunion can look to successful global examples of countries that have significantly increased their reliance on clean energy sources. For instance, France and Slovakia have achieved substantial progress with nuclear energy, generating over 60% of their electricity from this sustainable source. Although Réunion might face specific geographical and logistical challenges related to nuclear energy, enhancing solar power is clearly viable, considering the abundant sunlight on the island. The successful solar strategy of Greece, which produces over a fifth of its electricity from solar energy, can be particularly inspiring for Réunion. Additionally, wind energy could be a suitable avenue for development, as evidenced by countries like Denmark and Uruguay, where wind contributes around 60% and over a third of electricity generation, respectively. Learning from these examples, Réunion can build a robust portfolio of low-carbon energy solutions to both reduce its carbon footprint and ensure energy security.

History

Historically, Réunion’s journey towards low-carbon electricity has seen a series of incremental changes, particularly in the domains of hydropower, solar, and biofuels. In the early 2000s, there were modest adjustments in hydropower generation, with minor yearly increases and decreases in electricity output. Solar energy emerged in 2010 and expanded gradually, reflecting the potential for further development. Similar patterns can be noted with biofuels, which saw smaller fluctuations over the years. Notably, a significant increase in solar energy output in 2010 marks an important milestone. Toward the latter part of the 2010s, the expansion of hydropower in 2018 indicated renewed efforts to harness available water resources. Although these developments have established a foundation for low-carbon electricity, the fluctuating and somewhat limited growth underscores the need for Réunion to invest more assertively in sustainable energy technologies to achieve a cleaner future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources