Electricity in Jamaica in 2022
In 2022, the majority of Jamaica's electricity consumption was dominated by fossil fuels, which accounted for over 87% of the country's electricity. This sizeable reliance on fossil fuels, with gas making up more than half of the total generation, highlights a significant dependency on non-renewable energy sources. The contribution from low-carbon sources, which include wind, solar, hydropower, and biofuels, comprised nearly 13% of the total electricity consumption. Wind energy was the most significant among clean sources, representing about 6% of the electricity, followed by solar and hydropower, each contributing around 3%. Biofuels played a smaller role with just over 1% of the share. The challenge lies in the transition towards a more sustainable energy mix, where clean energy sources play a more prominent role to reduce the negative impacts of fossil fuel dependence.
Is Electricity Growing in Jamaica?
Despite the urgency for progress, Jamaica is witnessing a decline in overall electricity consumption. The latest data from 2022 shows that electricity consumption is at 1581 kWh per person, which marks a notable decrease when compared to the historic record in 2005. This decline of approximately 1200 kWh per person signals a regressive trend in energy usage. Similarly, the generation of low-carbon electricity has dipped as well, with the most recent numbers standing at 204 kWh per person, a slight drop from the previous high recorded in 1983. This contraction in low-carbon generation is concerning, especially given the global push toward sustainable and clean electricity consumption as a way to mitigate climate change and pollution issues.
Suggestions
To enhance Jamaica's low-carbon electricity generation, learning from other countries could provide valuable insights. Taking inspiration from nations like Uruguay and Denmark, where wind energy accounts for approximately 28% and 52% respectively, Jamaica could focus on expanding its wind energy infrastructure, benefiting from its geographical position. Similarly, countries like Lebanon and Greece have made significant strides in solar energy, with about 31% and 21% respectively, and this could inspire Jamaica to harness its abundant sunlight. While nuclear energy remains a key contributor to low-carbon electricity in countries like France and Slovakia, a focus on solar and wind would be more immediately applicable for Jamaica. These efforts can help Jamaica reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels while ensuring a sustainable and resilient energy future.
History
Jamaica's history of low-carbon electricity generation shows a pattern of varying contributions over the years. In the early 1970s, biofuels played a modest role, but by the late 1970s and mid-1980s, their contribution faced fluctuations, reflecting periods of increase and decrease. The late 1990s and onwards saw a mixed trend with minimal activity in biofuels and the introduction of wind energy in 2011. Wind energy received notable attention in 2016, marking the start of efforts towards diversifying energy sources. However, consistent growth in clean electricity generation has been elusive. To truly capitalize on its potential, Jamaica needs to consistently expand its low-carbon capacity, especially through solar and wind, ensuring a more stable and reliable energy framework capable of supporting future economic and ecological goals.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.