In Curaçao, electricity consumption in 2018 was largely dominated by fossil fuels, with over two-thirds of electricity generated from oil, accounting for around 71% of total electricity consumption. Meanwhile, low-carbon energy sources comprised about 29% of electricity generation. Wind power was the major clean energy contributor, providing approximately 27% of the electricity, with solar energy making up the remaining 2%. This mix indicates that while there is a significant presence of wind energy, solar energy still represents a small fraction of Curaçao's low-carbon electricity landscape.
Data sources used on this page include IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Curaçao?
When examining the growth of electricity in Curaçao, it appears stagnant if not declining. The latest total electricity consumption was reported at 4,770 kWh per person, significantly lower than the 2010 record of 8,436 kWh per person, indicating a drop of 3,666 kWh per person. However, there is a silver lining in the form of low-carbon electricity, which has shown growth from its previous record in 2017. The low-carbon electricity generation reached 1,394 kWh per person in 2018, surpassing the 2017 record of 1,116 kWh per person, marking an increase of 278 kWh per person. This highlights an optimistic trend in expanding clean energy sources, even if overall electricity consumption has decreased.
Suggestions
To further expand low-carbon electricity generation, Curaçao could build on its existing strengths by increasing wind capacity. Regions like Denmark, where wind accounts for nearly half of their electricity, exemplify how wind power can be effectively harnessed. Additionally, investing in solar energy holds great potential—drawing inspiration from countries like Cyprus and Lebanon, where solar power contributes more than 20% of electricity. Though nuclear energy is not yet a part of Curaçao's energy landscape, looking toward countries with significant nuclear energy contributions such as France or Slovakia could provide insights into potential diversification strategies for future energy security and sustainability.
History
In the history of Curaçao's low-carbon electricity, wind energy saw its first notable development in 2001 with a modest growth of 0.1 TWh. After a period of stagnation, a similar increase was observed in 2013, indicating efforts to expand wind capacity. The solar energy sector, however, has not experienced any substantial growth according to available data. Overall, the focus on wind shows some progress, albeit limited. Continued commitment to increasing low-carbon energy, especially solar and potentially nuclear, would be vital for Curaçao's energy future, helping to counteract the current reliance on fossil fuels.
