Electricity in Solomon Islands in 2022

In 2022, electricity consumption in Solomon Islands was primarily reliant on fossil energy, which accounts for the majority of its electricity generation. In contrast, low-carbon or clean energy sources such as wind, solar, or nuclear accounted for close to none of the country's electricity production. With such a heavy dependence on fossil fuels, there are substantial ramifications, including climate change and air pollution. The total electricity consumption per person in Solomon Islands remains significantly lower than the global average of 3,606 watts per person. This low level of electricity generation can hinder economic development and access to modern conveniences, affecting the quality of life for residents.

Suggestions

To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Solomon Islands can learn from countries that have successfully integrated such energy sources. For instance, Brazil and Vietnam have achieved notable success in wind and solar power, generating around 97 TWh and 27 TWh respectively from these sources. Given the geographical and climatic similarities, Solomon Islands can also explore the potential for wind and solar power. Moreover, the expansion of nuclear power, as demonstrated by countries like France with 348 TWh and the People's Republic of China with significant contributions from wind, solar, and nuclear, presents a sustainable pathway to meet the electricity demands while curbing fossil fuel reliance.

History

Historically, Solomon Islands has seen minimal changes in low-carbon electricity generation over the years. There have been some gradual increases in the adoption of clean energy technologies, but the rate has been relatively slow and often not sustained over consecutive years. In the absence of substantial developments in the domain of nuclear energy or large-scale investments in wind and solar, the Solomon Islands have remained largely dependent on conventional fossil fuel sources for their electricity needs. This historical lack of progress in adopting low-carbon technology underscores the country's potential for significant improvement by leveraging current and proven low-carbon energy technologies.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources