Electricity in Curaçao in 2018
In 2018, the island of Curaçao relied heavily on fossil fuels for electricity, with well over two-thirds of its energy supply, or around 70%, coming from oil. In contrast, the proportion of electricity generated by low-carbon sources stood at less than a third – just shy of 30%. The low-carbon energy supply was overwhelmingly dominated by wind power accounting for approximately 27% of total energy generation, with solar contributing a mere 2%. It's worth noting that Curaçao neither imports nor exports any electricity from or to other countries or regions, indicating a self-sustaining energy model.
Suggestions
To expand its low-carbon electricity sources, Curaçao may consider increasing its existing wind power facilities, leveraging its favorable geographical and climatic conditions to generate more wind power. The island could draw inspiration from countries like Denmark, which currently generates more than half of its electricity from wind. Another potential area of growth is in the solar power sector. Looking at nations like Chile and Yemen, where solar power accounts for around 17% of electricity, could provide valuable insights for Curaçao. Given its tropical climate and abundant sunshine, solar energy holds massive untapped potential. While nuclear power is not currently part of the island's energy mix, it could become a crucial low-carbon power source in the future. Countries such as France, Ukraine, and Slovakia, which generate more than half of their electricity from nuclear energy, could serve as role models.
History
Despite the current state of electricity in Curaçao, it is important to acknowledge the island's journey toward low-carbon energy generation. Wind power was introduced in the early 21st century, with the island generating a modest 0.1 terawatt-hours of electricity from wind energy in 2001. However, its progress did not significantly increase until the second decade of the century. Between 1993 to 2018, the island saw repeated periods of no increase in wind energy generation interspersed with occasional small upticks, highlighting the slow growth of this energy source. Furthermore, there was no significant development in solar energy during this time span, with the first notable generation of solar electricity recorded in 2013. These figures emphasize the need for sustainable steps toward the expansion of low-carbon energy generation in Curaçao.