In Curaçao, electricity consumption in 2018 leaned heavily on fossil fuels, with oil accounting for a substantial majority at approximately 71% of the energy mix. On the brighter side, low-carbon sources contributed just over a quarter of the total electricity, with wind energy constituting nearly 27% and solar energy providing about 2%. The reliance on clean energy indicates a significant, albeit not dominant, share in the energy landscape of Curaçao, highlighting room for improvement towards a more sustainable energy model.
Data sources used on this page include IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Curaçao?
In assessing the trajectory of electricity consumption in Curaçao, it appears there is a downward trend. In 2018, electricity consumption was at 4770 kWh per person, noticeably lower than the 8436 kWh per person recorded in 2010. This reduction suggests a contraction of 3666 kWh per person over eight years. On the other hand, low-carbon electricity generation has shown promising growth. In 2018, the consumption of low-carbon energy reached 1394 kWh per person, an increase from the previous record in 2017, suggesting a positive shift toward cleaner energy sources even if overall consumption declined.
Suggestions
To further boost low-carbon electricity generation in Curaçao, expanding existing wind energy infrastructure would be a prudent choice, given its current substantial contribution. Additionally, looking at successful regions worldwide could offer valuable examples. For instance, states like Iowa and South Dakota produce over half of their electricity from wind, demonstrating the potential of wind as a primary energy source. Embracing solar energy is also crucial, with countries like Lebanon reaching close to a third of their electricity from solar. Moreover, given the significant role that nuclear energy plays in numerous countries, such as in France and Slovakia, where it constitutes over two-thirds of their energy mix, this option should also be explored in combination with solar for a sustainable energy future.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Curaçao, particularly wind energy, faced few significant developments until the early 2000s. From 1993 to 2000, wind generation witnessed no changes, indicating stagnation in growth. However, 2001 marked a small increase in wind energy production, which remained stable until another slight boost in 2013. Solar energy only began to be recorded in 2013, with no immediate significant growth, yet there is optimism that these foundations can spur further clean energy advancements. In the absence of nuclear energy developments, expanding wind and solar offers the best avenue for low-carbon advancement in the region.
