The Bahamas is primarily reliant on fossil fuels for its electricity consumption, with over 99% of the electricity being generated from fossil energy sources in 2022. This means that virtually all of the electricity used in the country comes from non-renewable and non-clean energy sources, contributing significantly to carbon emissions and environmental pollution. The existing low-carbon options, such as solar, are contributing close to none to the energy mix, which underscores a critical need for diversification and the inclusion of cleaner energy sources in the future.

Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Bahamas?

Electricity consumption in the Bahamas has seen a notable decline in recent years. As of 2022, the total electricity consumption was 5157 kWh per person, a decline from the high of 6369 kWh per person in 2007, representing a drop of 1211 kWh per person. Despite this overall decline in electricity consumption, there is a positive trend in low-carbon electricity generation, which doubled from 25 kWh per person in 2020 to 50 kWh per person in 2022. While this growth is promising, the overall scale of clean electricity remains very limited.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, the Bahamas could look to successful regions as examples. For solar energy expansion, regions like Nevada and California, which generate over 30% of their electricity from solar power, present a compelling model. For nuclear energy, countries like France and Slovakia, where more than two-thirds of electricity is derived from nuclear power, set a high standard. Given the Bahamas' abundant sunlight and stable political environment, a combination of increased solar energy deployment and exploring nuclear energy can provide a robust pathway to achieving a more sustainable and cleaner electricity system in the future.

History

In recent history, the low-carbon electricity landscape in the Bahamas has shown little change. From 2020 to 2022, there have been no significant developments or increases in solar electricity generation, as reflected by the data indicating no change across these years. This stagnant progress is somewhat disappointing as it emphasizes missed opportunities to embrace clean energy technologies that could mitigate climate impact and provide more sustainable growth. It underscores the urgency for the country to revise its energy strategy to encourage the deployment and development of solar and nuclear energy solutions.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade