Electricity in British Virgin Islands in 2021
As of 2021, the British Virgin Islands' electricity consumption relies solely on fossil fuels. The islands' power infrastructure is underpinned entirely by this carbon-intensive energy source, with 100% of the electricity being derived from it. This heavy dependence on non-renewable resources illustrates a substantial challenge facing the islands in the quest for a sustainable and clean energy transition. These energy sources contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and climate change. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the British Virgin Islands neither import nor export any electricity from or to other regions or countries.
Suggestions
The British Virgin Islands could significantly increase its low-carbon electricity generation by learning from other successful countries. For instance, Denmark and Ireland stand out with wind energy making up 52% and 33% of their electricity generation respectively. Considering the islands' geographical location and the potential for abundant winds, particularly offshore, implementing such a system could prove beneficial. Similarly, countries like Chile, Yemen, Jordan, and Vanuatu have made significant strides in solar energy, generating 17%, 17%, 16%, and 14% of their electricity from it respectively. Given the British Virgin Islands' sunny climate, solar power could also be explored as a viable low-carbon energy source. Nuclear energy, although it doesn't involve burning fossil fuels and therefore doesn't produce direct carbon dioxide emissions, could also present an option being prominent in countries like France, Ukraine, and Slovakia.
History
Currently, there is no available data on the history of low-carbon electricity in British Virgin Islands. Future pursuits of a greener energy sector should aim to establish a database tracking the progress and milestones of these initiatives. This would aid in strategic planning, providing insights into trends and opportunities in the low-carbon energy space, foster transparency, and inform stakeholders of the state of affairs and efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Therefore, the documentation of the history of low-carbon electricity becomes a critical step in the path towards a sustainable energy future for the British Virgin Islands.