Electricity in Tonga in 2023
In the current state of electricity consumption in Tonga, the country relies heavily on fossil energy, with more than 85% of its electricity generation coming from this source. The balance of Tonga's electricity consumption comes from low-carbon energy, represented entirely by solar power, accounting for about 14% of the total. This setup indicates a promising, albeit nascent, move towards cleaner energy, with solar power gradually emerging as a key player in Tonga's energy landscape. However, there remains substantial room for growth in low-carbon electricity generation to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Tonga?
When examining whether electricity consumption is growing in Tonga, it's evident there has been a decrease. The latest figures for 2023 indicate that electricity consumption stands at 669 kWh per person, which is a decline from the previous year's consumption of 762 kWh per person—a reduction of 92 kWh per person. Despite this overall dip, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a slight improvement with 96 kWh per person, just 1 kWh more than the previous year. This slight increase underscores the potential and need for further investment in clean energy solutions to support sustainable growth in electricity consumption.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation in Tonga, it is strategic to expand the existing solar infrastructure, given its current contribution to the clean energy mix. Tonga can learn from other regions that have successfully integrated solar and other forms of low-carbon energy. For instance, the notable performance of Lebanon, with 31% of its electricity generated from solar power, serves as an excellent model for Tonga. Additionally, considering the global trend of embracing nuclear energy alongside solar, Tonga could also draw inspiration from countries like France and Slovakia where nuclear power constitutes a significant portion of electricity generation. These examples highlight the benefits of diversifying the low-carbon energy portfolio to include solar, wind, and nuclear power, fostering a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape in Tonga.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Tonga, particularly from solar energy, shows a consistent yet static production with no significant increases or decreases from 2017 to 2023. During this period, the solar generation figures have not seen any growth, indicating a need for renewed focus and investment in expanding this sector. Such stagnation, if not addressed, could hinder Tonga's ability to transition to a more sustainable and green electricity system. Thus, breaking this stagnation should be paramount for Tonga as it looks to increase its low-carbon footprint and meet future electricity demands amidst global electrification trends.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.