Electricity in Curaçao in 2018

In 2018, Curaçao's electricity consumption was primarily dependent on fossil fuels, with oil accounting for over 70% of the total electricity generation. Despite the heavy reliance on fossil fuels, low-carbon sources provided a significant portion of the island’s electricity, contributing nearly 30% to the overall mix. The most substantial clean energy source was wind, which contributed more than a quarter of the electricity, while solar power made up a little over 2%. This mix demonstrates Curaçao's valuable existing infrastructure for wind energy, although there remains substantial room for further increasing the share of clean energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Curaçao could focus on expanding its wind energy capacity. Given the island's existing success with wind energy, enhancing this capacity can further decrease reliance on fossil fuels. Learning from countries such as Denmark, which generates almost 60% of its electricity through wind power, could provide valuable insights into scaling up wind energy production. Additionally, Curaçao can look into diversifying its low-carbon portfolio by integrating more solar energy, using examples from countries like Greece, Chile, and the Netherlands, where solar energy contributes between 19% to 22% of their electricity generation. Incorporating proven strategies from these nations can guide Curaçao in effectively increasing its clean energy capacity.

History

Historically, the introduction and expansion of low-carbon electricity in Curaçao have been gradual. From 1993 to 2000, there was no increase in wind energy output. However, a small growth occurred from 2001 when wind energy saw a modest rise of 0.1 TWh. The progress stagnated until 2013 when another 0.1 TWh increase in wind energy was noted. Solar energy was introduced in the same year but did not yet contribute significantly. In 2018, wind energy saw an additional growth of 0.1 TWh, reflecting a slow but steady increase in sustainable energy efforts. This historical context underlines the necessity and potential for strategic investment and expansion in the island's low-carbon energy resources.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources