In 2023, Antigua & Barbuda relied on fossil fuels for about 94% of its electricity consumption, while low-carbon electricity supplied just 6%. Solar accounted for all of that clean electricity share. This leaves considerable room to expand low-carbon generation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, whose use contributes to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Antigua & Barbuda?

Electricity consumption has not surpassed its previous peak. In 2023, consumption was about 3,860 kWh per person, roughly 100 kWh—or 3%—below the record set in 2018. Low-carbon electricity generation also remained slightly below its 2020 peak, at about 214 kWh per person compared with 218 kWh. These figures show disappointing stagnation relative to earlier records, although they do not establish whether consumption grew or fell in the latest year. Increasing clean electricity supply would help support future demand from electrification and digital services.

Suggestions

Antigua & Barbuda could prioritize rooftop and larger-scale solar installations, supported by storage and grid improvements. Relevant island examples include Cyprus and the US state of Hawaii, where solar supplies about 23% of electricity generation—around four times Antigua & Barbuda’s solar share. Cape Verde, another island setting, generates about 14% of its electricity from wind, suggesting that locally assessed wind projects could complement solar. Nuclear should also be considered through long-term feasibility studies and regional cooperation: France generates about two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear, demonstrating its potential to provide substantial, dependable low-carbon electricity. These examples offer useful lessons, rather than directly transferable targets.

History

The supplied historical data records no year-to-year change in solar electricity generation, at the reported TWh precision, in 2015 or in any year from 2017 through 2023. These rounded zero changes do not mean that solar generation itself was zero, nor do they rule out smaller increases or decreases. Overall, the available record shows no measurable solar expansion at that reporting scale across the listed years, underscoring the opportunity to accelerate clean electricity growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade