Electricity in Curaçao in 2018

As of 2018, the majority of electricity consumption in Curaçao comes from fossil fuels, specifically oil, which accounts for almost 71% of the total generation. Low-carbon energy sources contribute about 29% of the electricity, with wind and solar energy making up 27% and 2%, respectively. This mix shows a significant reliance on fossil fuels but also indicates a growing utilization of cleaner, sustainable alternatives, though they still represent less than a third of the total electricity generated.

Suggestions

Curaçao has a promising opportunity to increase its low-carbon electricity generation by expanding its wind energy capacity, which already accounts for a substantial portion of its low-carbon electricity. By investing further in wind energy infrastructure, Curaçao can capitalize on its existing potential. Additionally, looking at successful countries, Denmark's achievement of generating 53% of its electricity from wind energy provides a valuable model. Curaçao could also draw lessons from solar energy advancements in countries with similar climates, such as Yemen and Chile, where solar energy contributes around 20% of the electricity mix. By adopting similar strategies, Curaçao can significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, thus mitigating climate change and improving air quality.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Curaçao shows a steady but slow growth. From 1993 to 2000, there was no recorded increase in wind energy generation. It wasn't until 2001 that wind energy saw a slight rise of 0.1 TWh. After a period of stagnation, a similar increase of 0.1 TWh occurred again in 2013 and 2018. For solar, which started being tracked in 2013, there has been no documented increase until now. These incremental changes suggest a cautious and gradual approach to integrating low-carbon technologies. The focus for Curaçao moving forward should be to accelerate this growth, learning from global examples and ensuring a sustainable and clean energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources