In 2023, the Solomon Islands has an electricity consumption rate of approximately 138 kWh per person, which is significantly lower than the global average of 3649 kWh per person. This level of electricity consumption highlights a substantial reliance on energy from fossil fuels since only about 13 kWh per person is generated from low-carbon sources such as solar power. The figure for low-carbon electricity is close to minimal, emphasizing that over 90% of the electricity still derives from fossil energy sources, contributing to climate change and air pollution issues. The low average consumption can lead to limited access to modern conveniences, hinder technological progress, and slow economic development compared to regions with higher levels of clean electricity.

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

Is Electricity Growing in Solomon Islands?

However, the recent data indicates a decline in overall electricity consumption in the Solomon Islands, dropping from a previous high of 160 kWh per person in 2007 to the current 138 kWh per person. This downward trend is concerning as it suggests stagnation in electricity access, potentially exacerbating the reliance on inefficient and polluting energy sources. In terms of clean electricity, there has been stagnation with low-carbon electricity generation remaining unchanged at 13 kWh per person from 2022 to 2023. This stagnation in low-carbon electricity growth highlights an urgent need for Solomon Islands to revitalize its energy policies and invest in sustainable electricity to foster growth and mitigate fossil fuel dependence.

Suggestions

For Solomon Islands to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, focusing on solar and potentially nuclear energy could be pivotal. Examining successful regions like the People's Republic of China, which has impressively generated over 1100 TWh from solar and wind power each, and the United States with considerable low-carbon production from both nuclear and solar sources, provides valuable lessons. Solar energy could be especially effective in the Solomon Islands due to geographical similarities with places like India and Brazil, which have also made strides in solar electricity. Meanwhile, adopting nuclear energy as seen in countries like France and South Korea could offer a reliable clean energy backbone, helping to scale up the islands’ electricity generation sustainably and significantly.

History

Historically, the Solomon Islands have not seen significant changes in low-carbon electricity generation based on the data provided, which only records unchanged solar generation between 2022 and 2023. Unlike other regions that pursued a mixture of solar, wind, and nuclear technologies, Solomon Islands has yet to diversify its clean electricity sources. The absence of nuclear energy or other advanced clean technology investments over recent years undermines potential progress. Without adopting bold and substantial measures to boost clean electricity frameworks, the islands face the risk of lagging even further behind in energy-related development, impacting both economic growth and environmental sustainability. This historical inertia in expanding low-carbon sources demands a reimagined energy strategy focusing on scaling up solar and nuclear capabilities to meet future demands.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade