Photo: Haanofonua derivative work: Massimo Telò · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Tonga: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Tonga is placed 120th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 571.43 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 14.29 (2024).
Share
Energy
120th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Tonga on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
571.43
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Tonga: 571.43. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Polynesia
- 350 Cook Islands
14.29
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Tonga: 14.29. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Polynesia
- 50 Cook Islands
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
No reading
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
World Energy Council publishes no 2023 figure for Tonga, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
02Over time
Which way Tonga is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
TongaWorld median
Tonga fell from 650 in 2000 to 571.43 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Tonga World median 2024 571 433.7 2023 571 452.7 2022 588 476.3 2021 571 469.0 2020 571 482.0 2019 571 488.2 2018 571 500.4 2017 571 506.3 2016 650 521.9 2015 660 524.8 2014 660 522.3 2013 660 508.8 2012 660 525.4 2011 660 521.4 2010 660 515.5 2009 660 533.6 2008 660 517.2 2007 660 535.3 2006 660 537.5 2005 660 521.4 2004 660 523.1 2003 650 543.1 2002 650 551.3 2001 650 559.3 2000 650 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
TongaWorld median
Tonga rose from 0 in 2000 to 14.29 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Tonga World median 2024 14 32.062 2023 14 28.000 2022 13 28.881 2021 14 28.286 2020 14 27.125 2019 14 26.296 2018 14 25.505 2017 14 24.023 2016 0 22.218 2015 0 21.915 2014 0 21.151 2013 0 21.593 2012 0 19.869 2011 0 18.584 2010 0 18.572 2009 0 17.886 2008 0 15.923 2007 0 15.586 2006 0 15.392 2005 0 16.438 2004 0 16.445 2003 0 16.339 2002 0 13.826 2001 0 14.023 2000 0 15.612
03In context
Tonga beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Tonga and Polynesia
Tonga has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cook Islands | 61st | 350 | 50 | — |
 Samoa | 68th | 400 | 43.75 | — |
 French Polynesia | 76th | 440.28 | 34.72 | — |
| Tonga | 120th | 571.43 | 14.29 | — |
 American Samoa | 139th | 622.22 | 5.556 | — |
 Niue | not placed | — | — | — |
 Tuvalu | not placed | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Polynesia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Tonga in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Tonga is ahead of the world, and behind
21 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median3
Statistics on which Tonga does better than the middle country measured.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.776.70725.77No earlier reading
Tonga: 6.707 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 158th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27914.295.279▲ Improved since 2014
Tonga: 14.29 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.211.4643.21▼ Worsened since 2014
Tonga: 1.464 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 142nd of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median3
Statistics on which Tonga does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8529.3124.85No earlier reading
Tonga: 29.31 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3214.2937.32▲ Improved since 2014
Tonga: 14.29 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 119th of 162 · derived.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7385.3672.738No real change since 2014
Tonga: 5.367 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare4
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▲ Improved since 2014
Tonga: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▲ Improved since 2014
Tonga: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 100100100▲ Improved since 2020
Tonga: 100 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Tonga: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end11
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04914.293.049Moved since 2014
Tonga: 14.29 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Tonga: 0 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Tonga: 0 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.530.249.5No real change since 2014
Tonga: 30.2 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2734.0084.273No earlier reading
Tonga: 4.008 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Tonga: 0 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
Tonga: 0 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.0160.144Moved since 2014
Tonga: 0.016 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58502.585Moved since 2014
Tonga: 0 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.85012.85No real change since 2014
Tonga: 0 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.07700.077Moved since 2014
Tonga: 0 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
No current reading for Tonga
Operating Coal Power Capacity, Operating Wind Power Capacity, RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score, RISE Electricity Access Policy Score, RISE Energy Efficiency Policy Score, RISE Renewable Energy Policy Score and World Energy Trilemma Index. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Tonga’s 15 topics
Energy is Tonga’s 12th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Poverty & Inequality15th of 1592/3 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 55th of 1772/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing64th of 2003/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties77th of 1983/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge90th of 1983/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability95th of 1863/4 keys
- Gender & Equality94th of 1832/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 103rd of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience113th of 1933/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital115th of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions124th of 1942/4 keys
- Energy120th of 1652/3 keys
- Digital & Technology159th of 1983/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation146th of 1762/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture169th of 1842/4 keys
No standing on Peace & Security: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Tonga can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Oceania
New Zealand11th3/3 keysHighest in Polynesia
Cook Islands61st2/3 keysThis page
Tonga120th2/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Tonga on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Tonga rank on energy?
Tonga is placed 120th of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity and Renewable Share of Electricity Generation). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Tonga?
571.43 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Tonga?
14.29 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How have Tonga’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 650 in 2000 to 571.43 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 0 in 2000 to 14.29 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Tonga?
No current reading is published for Tonga on Operating Coal Power Capacity, Operating Wind Power Capacity, RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score, RISE Electricity Access Policy Score, RISE Energy Efficiency Policy Score, RISE Renewable Energy Policy Score and World Energy Trilemma Index. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 21 statistics on this page come from 6 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Tonga’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Tonga (banner) — Haanofonua derivative work: Massimo Telò, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Tonga: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/tonga/energy