How can Reunion Island achieve energy autonomy?

Reunion Island aims to achieve energy autonomy and a 100% renewable electricity mix by 2030. Without policy support, the share of renewables remains at the 2008 reference level. The development of biomass, particularly energy cane, is economically interesting. Solar and marine energy need political and/or economic support to be developed.

Does Reunion Island use fossil fuels?

Whereas in the 1980s all of the energy produced on Reunion Island came from renewable hydroelectricity, the island has gradually become dependent on imported fossil fuels.

Is Reunion Island a renewable resource?

Hydroelectricity is the island's main renewable resource. It accounted for 17,2% of its total electricity production in 2015 (133,6 MW of installed capacity), spread over six sites in the eastern part of the island . An additional capacity of 50 MW should be deployed by 2030 . Reunion Island's biomass potential is considerable.

Can geothermal energy be developed on Reunion Island?

Geothermal energy also presents significant potential for development, with an installed capacity of 30 MW; however, the main problem for this resource on Reunion Island is its location in a protected natural area.

Does Reunion Island need economic support?

The development of biomass, particularly energy cane, is economically interesting. Solar and marine energy need political and/or economic support to be developed. Reunion Island, a French overseas region located in the Indian Ocean, is facing a three-fold challenge combining demographics, the environment and energy.

Will switching to renewables solve Réunion's self-sufficiency problem?

Although laudable, switching to renewables will not solve the self-sufficiency problem. The renewable sources Réunion uses to generate electricity will still be mainly imported from abroad. “Forests will be cut in Canada to put in our furnaces in Réunion island,” says Mathieu David, who studies mechanics and energy at the University of La Réunion.