Electricity in Puerto Rico in 2024
As of 2024, electricity consumption in Puerto Rico continues to be heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 94% of electricity being generated from these sources. Gas contributes almost a quarter of the electricity, and coal provides close to a fifth. Unfortunately, low-carbon sources, which include solar and wind power, constitute a small fraction of the overall energy mix, accounting for just under 6% altogether. Solar energy makes up a little over 4% of electricity generation while wind energy contributes just over 1%. This heavy dependency on fossil fuels highlights the urgent need for Puerto Rico to enhance its investment in clean energy to reduce the adverse environmental impacts and secure a sustainable energy future.
Is Electricity Growing in Puerto Rico?
When it comes to the growth of electricity consumption, Puerto Rico appears to be in a phase of decline rather than expansion. The current electricity consumption per person is 5774 kWh, which is significantly less than the peak level observed in 2006, when it was 6612 kWh per person. This reduction signifies a decline of 838 kWh per person. However, there is a glimmer of progress on the low-carbon front, with a slight increase in low-carbon energy generation per person to 336 kWh, compared to the previous record of 330 kWh set in 2022. Although this change of 6 kWh per person is modest, it provides a hopeful sign towards a cleaner energy portfolio. Yet, it is clear that significant efforts are still needed to realize substantial growth in sustainable electricity consumption in Puerto Rico.
Suggestions
To ramp up low-carbon electricity generation, Puerto Rico can learn from countries that have successfully integrated higher shares of clean energy. For instance, Denmark and Ireland have excelled in harnessing wind energy, with Denmark sourcing over half of its electricity from wind and Ireland deriving nearly a third. Additionally, regions like Lebanon have made commendable strides in solar energy, with solar contributing 31% of their electricity. Puerto Rico, with its abundant sunshine, could emulate Lebanon's model to significantly grow its solar capacity. Furthermore, exploring nuclear energy options, as in countries like France and Slovakia where nuclear electricity generation exceeds 60%, could provide a stable and substantial source of low-carbon power. By strategically investing in solar and potentially nuclear power, Puerto Rico can increase its low-carbon electricity generation and transition to a more sustainable energy system.
History
Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in Puerto Rico, hydroelectric power witnessed its share of ups and downs, with minor increases and decreases noted particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. By the early 2010s, a slow but positive momentum began with the introduction and gradual growth of wind energy starting in 2013 and solar energy from 2018 onward. Solar energy experienced incremental increases year-over-year from 2018 to 2022, demonstrating an improving trend, albeit on a small scale. Simultaneously, wind power saw sporadic increments, contributing modestly to the island's clean energy mix. These advances underscore the potential and necessity for consistency and expansion in Puerto Rico's green energy transition, particularly in solar and wind sectors, to better integrate low-carbon solutions into its energy landscape.