Electricity in Hong Kong SAR China in 2023
In 2023, Hong Kong SAR China's electricity consumption heavily relies on fossil fuels, with almost half coming from gas and more than a quarter from coal. Specifically, fossil fuels account for approximately 76% of electricity consumption. However, imported electricity, which makes up almost a quarter of the consumption, adds a layer of diversification, though it is unclear from the provided data how much of this is low-carbon. With a clear dependency on fossil fuels, Hong Kong SAR China must focus on increasing low-carbon energy sources to address the twin challenges of climate change and air pollution, creating a more sustainable energy future.
Is Electricity Growing in Hong Kong SAR China?
Hong Kong SAR China's per capita electricity consumption in 2023 is 6615 kWh, reflecting a slight decrease from the previous record in 2012, which was 6772 kWh/person. This decline of 157 kWh/person may suggest stagnation or slight contraction in electricity demand amidst the backdrop of increasing electrification and energy needs. Despite this, there is positive development in low-carbon electricity generation with a small yet noteworthy increase to 48 kWh/person from the previous year. This, however, indicates that Hong Kong SAR China needs to act more ambitiously to expand its clean energy portfolio in order to reverse the downward trend in total electricity consumption and boost its sustainable electricity generation.
Suggestions
To propel the growth of low-carbon electricity, Hong Kong SAR China can take cues from regions leading in nuclear and solar energy. Countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power accounts for more than 60% of electricity generation, demonstrate the potential of scaling up nuclear energy to reduce fossil dependency effectively. Similarly, taking inspiration from Lebanon, which generates 31% of its electricity from solar, Hong Kong could intensify solar energy investments despite its geographical constraints. With thoughtful strategies and investments in nuclear and solar energy, leveraging global best practices could transform Hong Kong into a clean energy frontrunner.
History
Historically, Hong Kong SAR China has seen limited growth in low-carbon electricity generation. Since the mid-2000s, the city has made incremental advances, particularly in solar energy, where a small but steady increase occurred between 2019 and 2022. Biofuels showed a slight increase in 2019 but have overall maintained close to none growth. In recent years, minor solar developments have produced marginal gains, but substantial investments in other low-carbon technologies, particularly in nuclear and solar energy, are crucial for setting the path towards a robust and sustainable electricity future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.