In 2019, the entire scope of Bermuda's electricity consumption relied wholly on fossil fuels. Despite vast international shifts to more sustainable energy, Bermuda continued to source 100% of its electricity from these high carbon options and did not import or export electricity from other global regions. Therefore, its transition away from solely fossil energy still remains a challenge as they are currently producing close to none low-carbon electricity.
For Bermuda to make strides in increasing its low-carbon electricity generation, it might look to the success stories of other countries. Predominantly, countries like France, Ukraine, and Slovakia derive over 50% of their electricity from nuclear power, shining a spotlight on the vast potential of this clean energy source. Wind power also holds promise, as demonstrated by Denmark where it generates more than half of their electricity. Further, countries more similar to Bermuda in size like Vanuatu and Cape Verde have made significant inroads with wind and solar power, respectively. The introduction and expansion of nuclear, solar, and wind energy could be pivotal in transforming Bermuda's heavy reliance on fossil fuels.
Unfortunately, historical data for Bermuda's electricity generation from low-carbon sources is unavailable. Therefore, it is difficult to delineate the shifts and changes over the decades. However, looking at the data globally, large-scale reductions in nuclear energy have often corresponded with a rise in carbon emissions. This emphasizes the need for a balanced energy mix, one founded in low-carbon resources such as nuclear, wind, and solar. As Bermuda moves forward, focussing on these viable energy sources will be essential.