Electricity in Grenada in 2021
In 2021, Grenada's electricity consumption amounted to approximately 192 watts per person, all of which came from fossil fuels. This is significantly lower than the global average of 412 watts per person. This reduced rate of electricity consumption could constrain economic development and limit the provision of essential services. Although lower levels of electricity generation result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reliance on fossil fuels contributes to climate change and air pollution. Notably, Grenada neither imports nor exports any electricity from other countries or regions.
Suggestions
Grenada can improve its electricity generation profile by considering the successful strategies of other countries in increasing their share of low-carbon energy. For instance, Grenada could emulate countries like Denmark or Uruguay that generate a substantial proportion of their electricity (369 and 160 watts per person respectively) from wind - a feasible option given the country's climate. Similarly, solar energy, as harnessed by Australia and Malta to generate 147 and 56 watts per person respectively, could be another viable option for Grenada considering its geographical location. Nevertheless, Grenada might also look into adopting nuclear energy. Despite being resource-intensive to establish, nuclear energy has allowed countries like Sweden, France, and Slovakia to generate substantial amounts of low-carbon electricity (559, 526, and 333 watts per person respectively).
History
However, I have no historical data on low-carbon electricity in Grenada. Therefore, I cannot accurately describe its history. In general, the transition to low-carbon electricity generation involves a period of expansion and infrastructure development, followed by a progressive phase-out of fossil fuel-based generation. This process is influenced by a range of factors, including available resources, technology, economic considerations, and policy support. Despite the lack of specific details on Grenada's past endeavours, it is clear that the adoption and expansion of low-carbon electricity generation technologies, such as wind, solar and potentially nuclear, can form part of a sustainable solution for the country's energy sector moving forward.