Réunion energy mix & electricity
Electricity generation in Réunion reached 3.1 TWh in 2023. Bioenergy is the largest source at 33.9%, ahead of oil (30.3%) and coal (13%).
Electricity generation by source in 2023
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bioenergy | 1.04 | 33.9% | +24.3 |
| Oil | 0.93 | 30.3% | +13.3 |
| Coal | 0.4 | 13% | −32 |
| Hydro | 0.39 | 12.7% | −7.2 |
| Solar | 0.29 | 9.4% | +1.6 |
| Wind | 0.02 | 0.7% | −0.1 |
| Total | 3.07 | 100% |
Réunion: electricity in context
Electricity generation in Réunion reached 3.1 TWh in 2023. That is similar to New Caledonia. Bioenergy is the largest source at 33.9%, ahead of oil (30.3%) and coal (13%).
The renewable share stood at 56.7%, placing Réunion 53rd of 158 ranked countries. This puts it 23 points above the world average of 33.8%. It is also above the average for Africa (24.7%). The carbon intensity of electricity is 394 g CO₂e/kWh; the global average is 458 g/kWh. That makes the grid somewhat cleaner than the world average. On carbon intensity, Réunion ranks 78th of 158 from the cleanest.
Over the past decade bioenergy added more generation than any other source (+770 GWh since 2013, plus 24.3 percentage points of share). Coal moved the other way, falling by 870 GWh. Taken together, the renewable share rose by 18.7 percentage points over the decade. Total generation grew by 250 GWh over the same period. Carbon intensity dropped from 553 to 394 g/kWh, a 29% cut.
Coal is in clear retreat: its share fell from 45% in 2013 to 13% in 2023, after peaking at 50.8% back in 2007. In absolute terms, coal generation peaked in 2020 at 1.9 TWh and has since fallen 79%.
Wind and solar together provided 10.1% of electricity (solar 9.4%, wind 0.7%), compared with 17.3% worldwide. Per person, that is 331 kWh of solar electricity a year, versus a global average of 338 kWh. Solar first passed 1% of the mix in 2010.
Réunion generates 3,509 kWh of electricity per resident each year, roughly the global average. Réunion does not trade electricity with other countries: the grid is not interconnected with any neighbour.
How the power mix has changed
Electricity generation by source since 2000. Switch to shares to see the structural shift independent of demand growth.
Renewables and carbon intensity
Réunion against the world and Africa averages.
Solar & wind farms: Réunion
36 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 137 MW of solar and 20 MW of wind operating, plus 215 MW under construction or planned.
How does Réunion compare?
Réunion next to 6 neighbouring countries, plus regional and world averages. Click a column to sort; use “Compare” for full side-by-side charts.
| Country | Renewable % | Low-carbon % | Fossil % | gCO₂/kWh | kWh / person | Generation TWh | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Réunion | 56.7% | 56.7% | 43.3% | 394 | 3,509 | 3.1 | — | |
| Mauritius | 17.9% | 17.9% | 82.1% | 642 | 2,683 | 3.4 | Compare | |
| Madagascar | 42.4% | 42.4% | 57.6% | 432 | 76 | 2.4 | Compare | |
| Seychelles | 15.9% | 15.9% | 84.1% | 556 | 4,830 | 0.6 | Compare | |
| Mozambique | 83.4% | 83.4% | 16.6% | 129 | 571 | 19.8 | Compare | |
| Malawi | 95.6% | 95.6% | 4.4% | 55 | 85 | 1.8 | Compare | |
| Eswatini | 96.7% | 96.7% | 3.3% | 131 | 491 | 0.6 | Compare | |
| Africa average | 24.7% | 25.5% | 74.5% | 544 | 635 | 962 | Compare | |
| World average | 33.8% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 458 | 3,860 | 31,772 | Compare |
Calculators for Réunion
Réunion energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in Réunion is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in Réunion?
How clean is the electricity in Réunion?
How much electricity does Réunion use per person?
How much solar power does Réunion produce?
More countries in Africa
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries
- World Resources Institute: Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0) — power plant locations and capacity
Electricity data: Ember and Energy Institute Statistical Review via Our World in Data (CC BY 4.0); latest year 2023. Power plants: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). Rankings exclude systems under 1 TWh and values older than 2020. Figures may be revised by the original publishers.