In 2023, electricity consumption in Papua New Guinea reveals a prominent reliance on fossil fuels, with more than three-quarters of the electricity being derived from fossil sources, specifically accounting for 76.32% of the total consumption. On the flip side, clean energy sources comprise close to a quarter of the electricity, or about 23.68%, with hydropower being the most significant contributor at approximately 21.14%. Geothermal energy makes a very modest contribution at just over 2%. This distribution indicates that while there is some presence of low-carbon energy, fossil fuels dominate Papua New Guinea's electricity landscape.
Is Electricity Growing in Papua New Guinea?
The analysis of electricity growth in Papua New Guinea unveils a concerning trend. As of 2023, the total electricity consumption stands at 455 kWh per person, which is noticeably lower than the historic peak of 555 kWh per person recorded in 2004. This change implies a decrease of 99 kWh per person, signaling a reduction rather than growth. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has diminished from its previous peak of 194 kWh per person in 1995 to 108 kWh per person presently. This further decline of 86 kWh per person points towards a need for revitalization to support sustainable growth and meet future energy demands.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Papua New Guinea can look towards successful regions that employ solar, wind, and nuclear energy. Countries like France, where nuclear energy accounts for 69% of electricity, exemplify opportunities for nuclear expansion. Similarly, adopting wind energy, as seen in states like Iowa and South Dakota where it contributes above 60%, or integrating solar solutions akin to Lebanon with 31% solar generation, could be beneficial. Given Papua New Guinea's climate and geographical characteristics, it has vast potential to harness these green technologies, notably solar power. Expanding solar and exploring nuclear options would provide a significant push towards a sustainable and clean electricity future.
History
Tracing the history of low-carbon electricity in Papua New Guinea, one can see a fluctuating journey, especially with hydropower, which saw its initial growth in the 1980s, notably in 1983 and 1986 with slight increments. The 1990s brought notable advancements in hydropower, highlighted by 1995's substantial increase. The early 2000s marked a new era with geothermal energy entering the scene in 2003 and 2005. The last few years have seen slight inconsistencies, with both increases and decreases noted in hydropower from 2017 onwards. Despite these efforts, the absence of more aggressive expansion suggests there remains considerable opportunity for progress in the realm of low-carbon energy generation to meet future demands efficiently.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.