Electricity in Guadeloupe in 2021

In Guadeloupe, electricity consumption in 2021 was predominantly driven by fossil fuels, comprising approximately two-thirds of the total energy mix, with coal being a significant contributor at about 14%. Meanwhile, the archipelago derived more than a third of its electricity from low-carbon sources, which include biofuels, wind, solar, and geothermal energy. Of these, biofuels constituted a notable portion, contributing roughly 15% to the electricity mix. Wind and solar power each accounted for around 7%, while geothermal provided close to 5%. This reflects an ongoing effort to incorporate green energy into Guadeloupe’s electricity production, even as there is a distinct need to further increase these low-carbon options.

Suggestions

To boost the generation of low-carbon electricity, Guadeloupe can take cues from successful strategies deployed by other regions. Denmark, for instance, excels in harnessing wind power, generating close to 60% of its electricity from this source, demonstrating what can be achieved with favorable geographical and policy environments. For solar energy, Greece is a notable example, generating about 22% of its electricity from solar panels. Guadeloupe, with its abundant sunlight, could enhance its solar capabilities. Furthermore, countries like France have capitalized on nuclear energy to achieve substantial clean electricity output, with nuclear contributing nearly 70% of its total. By diversifying its low-carbon sources and leveraging nuclear power alongside wind and solar, Guadeloupe can significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, combat climate change and air pollution, and move towards a more sustainable energy future.

History

Historically, Guadeloupe's journey with low-carbon electricity has seen gradual but important developments. In the early 2000s, efforts were largely static, with biofuels showing no growth until they finally registered a modest increase of 0.2 TWh by 2021. Geothermal energy witnessed a one-time increase of 0.1 TWh back in 2005 but has since not shown consistent growth. Solar energy, on the other hand, began to make inroads in 2012, with an initial boost of 0.1 TWh. From 2013 onward, solar capacity has stagnated, comparable to geothermal energy, which also showed no significant changes after 2005. The absence of wind and hydro expansions in the recent years of 2021 further highlights the need for a more assertive approach to diversifying clean energy sources. A focus on expanding solar, wind, and possibly introducing nuclear into the mix could help Guadeloupe progress toward a robust clean electricity profile.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources