Electricity in Tonga in 2023
Tonga's electricity consumption in 2023 is primarily dominated by fossil energy, which constitutes over 85% of its total electricity generation. This indicates a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, whereas the contribution from low-carbon energy sources is relatively smaller, with solar energy accounting for approximately 14% of the electricity generation. Tongans still largely depend on fossil fuels, but the presence of solar energy suggests a budding move towards cleaner energy production. There is a significant opportunity here for Tonga to further increase its low-carbon energy footprint, thus helping to combat climate change and reduce air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Tonga?
Unfortunately, the overall electricity consumption in Tonga seems to be stagnating, if not declining. In 2023, the electricity consumption was recorded at 669 kWh per person, down from a previous record of 762 kWh per person in 2022. This marks a decline of 92 kWh per person, suggesting a reduction in electricity usage. On the contrary, low-carbon electricity generation has remained static, with a slight increase from 95 kWh per person in 2022 to 96 kWh per person in 2023. The stagnation in the low-carbon sector means there is significant room for improvement to ensure sustainable and clean energy development in Tonga.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Tonga should consider expanding its existing solar energy infrastructure. Given the current reliance on solar for its low-carbon proportion, this approach seems both practical and strategic. Furthermore, Tonga can draw inspiration from successful regions that have effectively leveraged wind and nuclear energy. For example, Uruguay generates 34% of its electricity from wind, an impressive feat that could potentially be emulated given similar sunny conditions. Additionally, looking to countries like France, where 69% of their electricity comes from nuclear energy, Tonga might consider integrating nuclear energy into its long-term strategy for clean energy. Both solar and nuclear power offer sustainable pathways to meet future electricity demands in Tonga.
History
Historically, Tonga's journey with low-carbon electricity, particularly solar energy, demonstrates limited growth from 2017 to 2023. In these years, solar energy's contribution to electricity generation saw no noticeable increase. This stagnation represents a critical period where solar electricity had the potential for expansion but instead remained static. To transition towards a more sustainable energy future, proactive policy measures and strategic investments are necessary to stimulate growth in the solar sector and explore the integration of additional clean energy options like nuclear energy. Enhancing low-carbon electricity generation could play a pivotal role in reducing Tonga's dependency on fossil fuels and in promoting a more sustainable energy landscape.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.