In 2022, fossil fuels supplied about 87% of Jamaica’s electricity, with gas alone accounting for more than half of the total. Low-carbon sources provided the remaining 13%: wind contributed about 6%, solar and hydropower roughly 3% each, and biofuels about 1%. Jamaica’s electricity supply therefore remained heavily dependent on fossil fuels, leaving considerable room for clean electricity to reduce climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Jamaica?

Jamaica’s electricity consumption per person was well below its historical peak in 2022, rather than reaching new highs. Consumption stood at about 1,580 kWh per person, compared with roughly 2,770 kWh in 2006—a decline of about 43%. Low-carbon electricity generation was also below its record, at around 204 kWh per person versus 229 kWh in 1983, or about 11% lower. These shortfalls are concerning: Jamaica needs stronger growth in clean electricity to support electrification, economic development, and future demand, including digital services and AI.

Suggestions

Jamaica can increase low-carbon electricity generation by expanding solar and wind while considering nuclear power as a longer-term source of dependable clean electricity. Relevant solar examples include island regions such as Cyprus, where solar supplies about 24% of electricity, and the US state of Hawaii, where it provides 23%; nearby El Salvador also generates about 17% from solar. Jamaica could learn from their experience in expanding rooftop and larger solar installations, alongside grid upgrades and storage. Uruguay, with about 31% of electricity generated from wind, offers another useful example. For nuclear, France generates roughly two-thirds of its electricity from this source, while the United Arab Emirates generates about one-fifth, providing lessons in developing expertise, institutions, and international partnerships for a nuclear programme suited to national needs.

History

Jamaica’s recorded low-carbon electricity history shows intermittent gains rather than sustained expansion. Biofuel generation increased by 0.1 TWh in both 1973 and 1976, fell by 0.1 TWh in 1979, and rose again in 1983 before declining by 0.3 TWh in 1984 and another 0.1 TWh in 1990. Hydropower recorded little change in the listed years, apart from a 0.1 TWh decline in 2001. Wind delivered welcome increases of 0.1 TWh in both 2016 and 2017, following entries showing no change at the reported precision in 2004 and 2011. In 2019, biofuels increased by 0.1 TWh, while solar and wind showed no change at the reported precision. Overall, the record underscores the need for a more sustained expansion of clean electricity.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade