Energy Transition on Réunion Island: How an Island Is Transforming Its Energy System
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Located in the Indian Ocean, Réunion Island is a French volcanic island with a population of nearly 900,000. Population growth, economic development and increasing mobility needs have led to a sharp rise in energy consumption since the early 2000s. Between 2000 and today, the island’s energy consumption has increased by approximately 40%.
To reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and limit its greenhouse gas emissions, Réunion Island has embarked on a far-reaching transformation of its energy system. Although it has significantly decarbonized its generation, the transportation sector remains a major challenge, and is still a long-term objective.
© GERARD CERLES / AFP
How Réunion Island Transformed Its Electricity Mix
Over the past decade, Réunion Island has radically changed the way it generates .
While , and still provided most of the island’s electricity in the early 2010s, fossil fuels accounted for just 7.6% of power generation in 2024. Conversely, renewable energies and supplied more than 90% of the island’s electricity.
This shift was driven in particular by the conversion of the Bois-Rouge and Le Gol power plants to . Today, these plants use bagasse, the fibrous residue left over from crushing sugarcane, supplemented by wood pellets. The Port-Est power plant now runs on biodiesel, which is gradually replacing heavy fuel oil.
One of Réunion Island’s distinctive features is the way it uses sugarcane in several different forms. Bagasse has long been used by the sugar industry to generate and electricity. This local resource is also used in other major sugarcane-producing regions, such as Brazil.
The transformation of its has made Réunion Island one of France’s most advanced territories in terms of renewable power generation. In 2024, renewable energies accounted for 92.4% of the island’s electricity generation, a significantly higher proportion than in other French island territories such as French Guiana, Corsica, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Why Réunion Island Remains Dependent on Energy Imports
Decarbonizing the power sector does not mean that the island has achieved energy independence.
Réunion Island is a non-interconnected island territory. It is not connected to any major continental power grid. The electricity consumed on the island must therefore be generated locally, and the balance between electricity generation and consumption must be maintained at all times. This situation presents a challenge, but it also makes the island a valuable testing ground for new energy solutions.
Despite the progress made, the island’s energy dependency ratio remains close to 89%. Local energy resources cover only a small proportion of its total needs. Local power generation relies mainly on solar energy, biomass and hydropower, with wind power playing a more limited role.
Solar power continues to expand despite the limited availability of land. Three ground-mounted photovoltaic power plants are currently in operation, including the Rivière des Galets plant, which entered service in late 2023. A new 4 MWp solar power plant was also installed in 2024 on the site of the former Cambaie landfill. This project illustrates how previously developed land can be repurposed to generate renewable electricity.
Photovoltaic solar power is also expanding on buildings, with more than 10,000 rooftop installations recorded in 2024. Agrivoltaics is developing as well, through projects that combine agricultural production with electricity generation using photovoltaic greenhouses or solar canopies.
As solar power generation depends on sunlight, electricity storage is becoming increasingly important. Batteries can store some of the energy generated during the day and release it in the evening, for example. On an island that is not connected to a continental power grid, these solutions help secure the electricity supply and support the integration of a greater proportion of renewable energies.
Buildings, Solar Power and Energy Efficiency: Key Ways to Reduce Energy Consumption
Alongside the transformation of its electricity system, Réunion Island is taking steps to manage energy demand.
The tropical climate is particularly well suited to the use of solar thermal energy. Nearly 80% of homes are equipped with solar water heaters, one of the highest rates in France. This technology reduces the amount of electricity used to produce hot water.
The island also serves as a testing ground for bioclimatic buildings. Researchers at the École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs Réunion Océan Indien, or ESIROI, are working on solutions adapted to the local climate. These include natural ventilation, solar shading, materials that are better suited to extreme heat and rainwater harvesting.
The objective is to reduce buildings’ energy needs and limit the use of air conditioning, which consumes particularly large amounts of electricity in tropical regions.
Transportation: The Island’s Main Decarbonization Challenge
Although power generation has been largely decarbonized, transportation remains the main source of fossil fuel consumption.
Transportation accounts for nearly two-thirds of the final energy consumed on Réunion Island.
Air transportation plays an essential role in connecting the island to the rest of the world. Located several thousand kilometers from mainland France, Réunion Island relies heavily on air links for passenger travel and some freight transportation. Air transportation alone consumes nearly one-third of the fuels used by the transportation sector.
Road transportation is another major challenge. The island’s mountainous terrain concentrates travel along coastal routes, where traffic is often heavy. Despite the development of public transportation, fuel consumption remains high.
The use of electric vehicles is increasing, but at a slower pace than in mainland France. The rollout of charging stations is continuing, while the purchase price of electric vehicles remains a barrier for some households.
Marine Energies: A Promising Avenue for an Indian Ocean Island
Thanks to its geographic location, Réunion Island has significant potential for the development of renewable marine energies.
Research teams are working on several technologies, including wave energy, ocean thermal energy, technologies that harness ocean currents and pumped-storage hydropower.
Ocean thermal energy is attracting particular interest. The technology uses the temperature difference between warm surface water and colder deep water to generate electricity. Réunion Island is one of the territories experimenting with this still-developing technology.
Key Takeaways
✅ In 2024, fossil fuels accounted for just 7.6% of Réunion Island’s electricity generation.
✅ Bagasse from sugarcane plays an important role in local energy production.
✅ Réunion Island is a non-interconnected island territory. It must generate the electricity it consumes locally and develop storage capacity to maintain the balance of its power grid.
✅ Despite the development of solar power, biomass and hydropower, the island’s energy dependency ratio remains close to 89%.
✅ Road and air transportation currently represent the island’s main challenge.
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