In 2020, Bermuda relied entirely on fossil fuels for its electricity: they supplied 100% of consumption, while low-carbon sources contributed none in the supplied data. This leaves substantial scope to develop clean electricity and reduce the climate-changing emissions and air pollution associated with fossil fuel use.

Is Electricity Growing in Bermuda?

Electricity consumption per person was not growing relative to its historical peak. In 2020, it stood at about 7,800 kWh per person, roughly 3,400 kWh—or 30%—below the record reached in 2005. These figures establish a decline from the peak, rather than a year-by-year trend. Low-carbon electricity generation remained at zero per person, unchanged from the recorded benchmark in 1980. This lack of clean electricity growth is concerning as electrification creates opportunities for greater electricity use.

Suggestions

Bermuda could prioritize rooftop solar and suitable larger solar installations, supported by storage and grid improvements. 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%. These places offer useful lessons for developing clean electricity on island grids, while Bermuda should assess wind resources locally. Nuclear should also be considered through a feasibility assessment tailored to Bermuda’s electricity demand and grid: France and Slovakia demonstrate its potential to supply around two-thirds of electricity, although their systems are much larger than Bermuda’s.

History

No year-by-year historical changes were supplied, so a detailed account of Bermuda’s low-carbon electricity development is not possible. The available benchmarks show zero low-carbon generation per person in both 1980 and 2020, with no improvement between those endpoints. They do not establish what happened in every intervening year, but the 2020 position underscores the importance of building a clean electricity sector.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade