In 2022, the electricity consumption profile of Guam was heavily dominated by fossil fuels, accounting for more than 90% of the electricity generated. This shows a significant reliance on fossil energy sources, which are known to contribute to climate change and air pollution. In a positive development, clean energy, specifically solar, made up close to 8% of Guam's electricity generation. While this represents a growing interest in sustainable energy, it still constitutes a small fraction of the total electricity production, highlighting the potential and need for further expansion in low-carbon electricity sources to diversify and strengthen Guam's energy mix.

Data sources used on this page include Ember. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Guam?

Examining the trend of electricity consumption in Guam reveals a decline over recent decades. As of 2022, the per capita electricity consumption stood at around 10,900 kWh, which is below the historic peak of 12,123 kWh per person recorded in 2000. This represents a decrease in electricity usage per person by more than a tenth compared to the historical high. However, the silver lining is the remarkable growth in clean electricity generation, rising from 494 kWh per person in 2019 to 848 kWh per person in 2022. This increase of 353 kWh signifies an encouraging trend in adopting green energy sources, which needs continuation to foster lasting environmental and economic benefits.

Suggestions

For Guam to sustainably increase its low-carbon electricity generation, adopting practices from regions with successful low-carbon energy integration could be highly beneficial. For instance, regions like California and Nevada have leveraged their sunny climates to produce significant portions of their electricity from solar energy, with solar accounts for about 31% and 34%, respectively. Also, Guam can learn from France, where nuclear power contributes significantly to the energy mix, with up to 67% of electricity generated from nuclear sources. Emulating these practices by expanding solar capacities and considering nuclear energy could significantly enhance Guam’s energy profile, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable future.

History

The journey toward improving low-carbon electricity in Guam began rather slowly, with no significant changes from 2015 to 2021. It was not until 2022 that solar energy production saw an increase by 0.1 TWh, representing a vital step forward in Guam's sustainability journey. This modest but important growth underscores the nascent stage of Guam's journey toward cleaner energy production. Moving forward, similar advancements should be welcomed and expanded to solidify Guam's commitment to a greener and more resilient energy domain.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade