Electricity in Timor-Leste in 2022

In 2022, electricity consumption in Timor-Leste was overwhelmingly reliant on fossil fuels, with clean electricity accounting for close to none of the total generation. As a result, the electricity consumption per person in Timor-Leste is significantly lower than the global average of 3606 watts per person. The scarcity of clean energy infrastructures like wind, solar, or nuclear means that Timor-Leste is missing out on the opportunity to reduce carbon emissions and decrease reliance on fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and air pollution. The low level of electricity generation can hinder economic development, limit access to technological advancements, and affect the overall quality of life.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Timor-Leste can take inspiration from successful countries. For instance, China and India have made significant strides in solar energy, generating hundreds of terawatt-hours, demonstrating the potential in solar power deployment even for countries with sunny climates like Timor-Leste. Wind energy has proven successful in countries such as Brazil and the United Kingdom, notable for their use of this technology. Moreover, nuclear energy is a staple of low-carbon energy in the United States and France, both generating substantial electricity while maintaining a stable grid. Learning from these countries, Timor-Leste should consider investing in solar and wind infrastructure initially, with the long-term goal of developing nuclear energy capabilities for sustainable and reliable electricity.

History

Historically, Timor-Leste has seen negligible changes in low-carbon electricity generation. Throughout the early and mid-2000s, there has been little to no development in the field of clean energy. While many regions worldwide have embraced greener energy sources in recent decades, Timor-Leste still has considerable ground to cover in adopting these sustainable technologies. The lack of significant progress highlights an urgent need for action and investment to align with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a healthier environmental footprint.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources