Electricity in Antigua & Barbuda in 2022

As of 2022, Antigua & Barbuda relies heavily on fossil fuels for its electricity needs, with more than 94% of its electricity coming from these sources. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels contributes to significant greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, which have negative impacts on both the environment and public health. The remaining electricity generation, about 5.5%, comes from solar energy, which is the sole source of low-carbon electricity in the country. This reliance on a single type of low-carbon energy indicates limited diversification in the clean energy mix, and there is substantial room for improvement to reduce carbon emissions and enhance sustainability.

Suggestions

To increase the proportion of low-carbon electricity generation, Antigua & Barbuda could look to successful examples from other countries. France, for instance, generates almost 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy, showcasing it as a reliable and powerful clean energy source. Similarly, Denmark generates more than 60% of its electricity from wind energy, illustrating how extensively wind power can be harnessed. On a smaller scale, countries like Cape Verde and Kenya generate notable proportions of their electricity from wind energy, around 14% and 13% respectively, demonstrating that small nations can also leverage these technologies effectively. By investing in both nuclear and wind energy, Antigua & Barbuda can diversify its energy mix, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and establish a more sustainable electricity system.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Antigua & Barbuda reveals a relatively stagnant progression in recent years. From 2015 to 2022, there were no significant changes in electricity generation from solar energy; each year’s contribution to the grid remained constant at 0 TWh. This indicates that while initial steps were made to integrate solar power, further development and expansion have stalled. Moving forward, Antigua & Barbuda has the opportunity to learn from other countries' successes and ramp up its investment in a diversified portfolio of low-carbon sources to create a more resilient and environmentally friendly electricity system.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources