Electricity in Barbados in 2022

In 2022, electricity consumption in Barbados was heavily dominated by fossil-based energy sources, which accounted for nearly 93% of the total electricity generated. This leaves low-carbon sources contributing just over 7% to the island's electricity mix, all of which came from solar energy. Unfortunately, the usage of clean energy in Barbados has been minimal, with close to 93% still reliant on gas and other fossil fuels. Given this landscape, there is significant room for improvement in transitioning towards more sustainable and eco-friendly sources of electricity.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Barbados can look to examples from around the world where countries have successfully integrated clean energy types into their electricity mix. Denmark and Uruguay have made significant strides in wind energy, generating close to or above one-third of their electricity from wind power, which could be an option given Barbados' geographic exposure to oceanic wind currents. Additionally, island nations like Cyprus and Australia have successfully integrated solar energy into their grids, with figures nearing or surpassing 20%, demonstrating that Barbados could significantly benefit from a more concentrated investment in expanding its solar potential.

History

Historically, Barbados has shown close to no change in solar electricity generation between 2014 and 2022, with solar output remaining unchanged throughout these years. This indicates no significant investment or policy push towards low-carbon infrastructure during this period. Given the global trend of nations expanding their low-carbon energy capacities, it's crucial for Barbados to prioritize and invigorate its strategies for clean energy adoption, particularly focusing on utilizing its abundant solar resources and exploring other forms of sustainable electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources