Electricity in Jamaica in 2022

In 2022, Jamaica's electricity consumption was predominantly driven by fossil fuels, contributing to more than 86% of the total electricity generated in the country. Natural gas formed the bulk of this at about 58%. In stark contrast, low-carbon or clean energy sources constituted around 14% of the electricity mix. This segment included wind energy, which provided about 6%, while both hydropower and solar each supplied approximately 3%. Biofuels rounded out the low-carbon mix with a little over 1%. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels highlights a need for Jamaica to increase its generation from cleaner and potentially more sustainable sources to reduce the impact of climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Jamaica can look to successful models from countries with similar conditions or aspirations. For instance, countries like Uruguay and Ireland have made significant progress in wind energy, generating about 36% and 34% of their electricity from wind, respectively. Jamaica, with its favorable wind conditions, could learn from these examples to expand its wind energy infrastructure. Solar energy also offers a considerable opportunity, as shown by Greece and Chile, which generate around 22% and 21% of their electricity from solar sources. These countries' experiences highlight the potential for developing robust policies, investments, and technology adoption in the solar and wind sectors, crucial for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and advancing the clean energy transition.

History

Historically, Jamaica's journey toward low-carbon electricity has been gradual and somewhat inconsistent. In the 1970s, biofuels saw minor fluctuations, with a notable increase in 1973 and intermittent years of negligible changes or declines. The 1980s and 1990s saw similar patterns of small gains and losses in biofuel electricity generation. The introduction of wind energy came much later, with a modest entry in 2011 and a slight boost in 2016. Although incremental, these developments mark Jamaica's initial steps toward diversifying its electricity mix with low-carbon sources. Moving forward, learning from international successes and leveraging local resources will be essential in crafting a more sustainable electricity future for the country.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources