Electricity in Haiti in 2022
In 2022, Haiti's electricity consumption presents a challenging scenario, with total electricity use falling significantly below the global average of 3813 watts per person. A substantial portion of Haiti's electricity generation relies on fossil fuels, contributing to environmental issues such as air pollution and climate change. Clean electricity generation, primarily from hydropower, accounts for just under half of the total electricity mix, while fossil fuels dominate the remaining portion. The limited access to electricity hampers economic growth and holds back advancements in healthcare, education, and overall quality of life for the population.
Suggestions
To ameliorate this situation and focus on sustainable development, Haiti could significantly benefit by adopting strategies seen in other countries that excel in low-carbon energy production. Haiti could look towards countries like Brazil and India, who have successfully increased their wind and solar capacities to generate more clean energy. Both nations have conditions similar to Haiti in terms of economic status and climate, providing practical and scalable models for enhancing wind and solar infrastructure. Additionally, pursuing nuclear power as exemplified by nations such as France, the United States, and China could become a cornerstone policy for achieving a reliable and sustainable power supply, offering energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Haiti shows a fluctuating but generally stagnant trajectory. Starting in the early 1970s, Haiti's hydropower capacity exhibited minor growth with increments of 0.1 TWh and occasional periods with no change, reflecting the lack of sustained development initiatives. While there were some years of slight increase in hydroelectric production, these gains were frequently offset by declines, such as in the early 1990s and the late 2000s. The recent years have seen a modest increase, indicating potential for further development. However, sustained investment and policy changes are crucial for Haiti to transition to a stable and resilient low-carbon energy framework.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.