The Energy Transition in the British Indian Ocean Territory

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), centred on Diego Garcia, remains strategically important and is undergoing gradual improvements in energy sustainability. Power generation on Diego Garcia, the main inhabited atoll hosting a joint UK-US military facility, has traditionally relied on imported diesel. However, renewable energy initiatives are being introduced, with solar PV systems installed to supplement diesel generators and reduce carbon emissions. Further expansion of solar capacity and improvements in energy efficiency are being explored to enhance operational resilience and environmental performance. Given its remote location, BIOT is fully dependent on imported critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, necessary for renewable systems and future battery storage projects. No critical minerals exploration or offshore renewable development currently takes place within the BIOT’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is primarily designated for environmental protection. While infrastructure development faces logistical and environmental challenges, ongoing efforts to integrate renewables reflect broader UK defence sustainability strategies and international climate commitments, ensuring BIOT gradually aligns with global energy transition and resilience goals.