Electricity in Puerto Rico in 2024

In 2024, the state of electricity consumption in Puerto Rico heavily relies on fossil energy, which makes up more than 94% of the electricity generation. Of this, gas contributes a bit less than a quarter, while coal accounts for almost 19%. In contrast, low-carbon or clean energy sources make up a small fraction, amounting to less than 6% of the total electricity. Solar energy makes a notable contribution within the clean energy segment at over 4%, while wind energy provides a meager 1% of the island's electricity. This heavy dependence on fossil fuels poses significant environmental and economic challenges, including impacts like climate change and air pollution, which underscore the urgent need for diversifying and increasing low-carbon electricity generation.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Puerto Rico can seek inspiration from other regions with successful green energy models. By looking at countries with substantial contributions from clean energy, Puerto Rico can explore viable strategies to bolster its own supply. Denmark leads with wind energy, providing more than half of its electricity from this source. Similarly, Ireland sources almost a third of its electricity from wind power. These examples indicate the significant potential of wind energy, which Puerto Rico can harness given its geographical characteristics. On the other hand, countries like Lebanon generate over a third of their electricity from solar power, highlighting the importance and feasibility of expanding solar energy, an area Puerto Rico has already begun to explore. Furthermore, examining the extensive use of nuclear energy in nations like France, Slovakia, and Ukraine—where nuclear power produces a significant majority of their electricity—indicates a reliable path toward greater energy independence and sustainability.

History

The historical journey of low-carbon electricity in Puerto Rico has been marked by gradual and modest increments in clean energy sources. Looking back, hydroelectric power saw minor fluctuations from the early 1980s until the early 2000s, with slight increases and decreases that were relatively insignificant in the overall energy mix. Substantial changes began with wind energy, which gained traction from 2013, contributing 0.2 TWh to the grid. Solar energy started to make its impact felt in 2018, with incremental increases each subsequent year, bringing about a cumulative contribution of approximately 0.8 TWh by 2022. In more recent years, both solar and wind have shown promising growth, indicating a positive shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly electricity generation portfolio. Continued focus on expanding these low-carbon sources is critical for the island to reduce its heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources