Electricity in Tonga in 2022

In 2022, Tonga relied heavily on fossil fuels for its electricity generation, with more than four-fifths of its electricity coming from these sources. Low-carbon or clean energy sources contributed a smaller portion, with solar energy accounting for approximately one-eighth of the country's electricity production. This highlights a significant reliance on fossil fuels, which has environmental repercussions, including contributing to climate change and air pollution. As Tonga only utilized solar energy as a low-carbon alternative, there is substantial room for improvement in diversifying and scaling up its clean energy sources.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Tonga can build upon its existing solar infrastructure by expanding these capabilities, capitalizing on the abundantly available sunlight. Additionally, Tonga can look to models of success from other regions. For instance, Uruguay, which shares similar latitude ranges, produces over a third of its electricity from wind energy. This indicates the potential for diversification into wind power. While Tonga currently does not produce nuclear electricity, it might explore partnerships or knowledge exchange with nuclear-advanced countries like France, which generates more than two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear sources. Implementing a diverse mix of clean energy could help meet the island nation’s energy demands sustainably.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Tonga over the past several years has shown a lack of growth, specifically in solar energy, which has not recorded any increase in output from 2017 through 2022. This period of stagnation indicates that while solar power has been established, there has been no expansion or significant investment in boosting solar output capabilities. To ensure future growth in clean energy, Tonga must address this stagnation and invest in technologies and infrastructures to increase efficiency and generation capacities. Increasing solar installations and examining opportunities in wind energy are crucial steps for Tonga towards a cleaner, sustainable energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources