Electricity in Guam in 2022

As of 2022, the island of Guam primarily relies on fossil fuels for its electricity needs, with more than 90% of its electricity generated from these sources. This significant dependence can contribute to environmental concerns such as air pollution and climate change. Low-carbon electricity, all of which comes from solar energy in Guam, accounts for close to 8% of the island's electrical output. This indicates that, while there is a move towards cleaner energy, reliance on fossil fuels remains high.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Guam can consider learning from successful global examples. Several countries have harnessed nuclear energy to achieve significant clean electricity shares, such as France and Slovakia, which generate more than half of their electricity from nuclear sources. Countries similar in climate or scale, such as Lebanon and Cyprus, have increased their solar capacity, making solar an advisable option for Guam. Exploring nuclear power could also be beneficial, as it offers a substantial and reliable low-carbon electricity source.

History

In examining the historical development of low-carbon electricity in Guam, solar energy played a minimal role until quite recently. From 2015 to 2021, solar electricity generation saw no increase, maintaining a steady output. However, in 2022, there was a very modest growth of 0.1 TWh in solar electricity generation, marking a positive trend though still minimal. This recent development suggests a budding effort to diversify Guam's energy mix towards more sustainable options, marking the beginning of potentially more significant advancements in the use of solar and other low-carbon energy sources.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources