In 2022, electricity consumption in the Bahamas depended almost entirely on fossil fuels, which supplied about 99% of the total. Low-carbon electricity accounted for only about 1%, leaving clean sources with a very small role. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels contributes to climate change and air pollution, highlighting the value of expanding clean electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Bahamas?

Electricity consumption per person has not recovered to its historical peak. In 2022, it stood at about 5,160 kWh per person, roughly 1,210 kWh—or 19%—below the 2007 record. This shortfall is concerning as electrification creates opportunities for greater electricity use. Low-carbon generation, however, reached 50 kWh per person, double the previous record of 25 kWh in 2020. That is encouraging progress, although clean electricity still starts from a very small base. These figures show performance against historical records rather than establishing whether total consumption increased in 2022 alone.

Suggestions

The Bahamas should prioritize solar expansion, supported by battery storage and grid investment, while developing suitable wind projects and considering nuclear electricity as a longer-term clean option. Relevant island examples include the US state of Hawaii and Cyprus, where solar supplies about 23% of electricity, and Cape Verde, where solar and wind each provide about 14%. Rooftop installations and larger solar projects could help the Bahamas follow these examples. For nuclear, France generates about two-thirds of its electricity from this low-carbon source, while the United Arab Emirates generates about one-fifth. Their experience offers lessons in planning, skills development and delivering dependable clean electricity; the Bahamas could assess nuclear technologies suited to its future electricity needs.

History

The available historical data show no reported change in solar electricity generation in 2020, 2021 or 2022, with each annual change recorded as 0 TWh. At the precision provided, this indicates stagnation rather than a sustained expansion of solar generation. These rounded figures do not necessarily rule out small increases, including the rise reflected in the per-person low-carbon figures, but they underline the need to accelerate measurable clean electricity growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade