Electricity in Puerto Rico in 2023/2024

As of the period from July 2023 to June 2024, Puerto Rico's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 98% of electricity being generated from these sources. Breaking this down, about 44% comes from gas, and another 16% is derived from coal, which clearly indicates a substantial dependence on fossil fuels. On the other hand, electricity from low-carbon or clean energy sources represents a mere fraction, totaling just under 2% of the overall electricity consumption. Within this low-carbon segment, solar energy contributes approximately 1.3% to the electricity mix, highlighting the minimal role that clean energy currently plays in Puerto Rico's electricity landscape. This imbalance raises concerns about the environmental impact and sustainability of the current electricity generation system, as fossil energy contributes significantly to climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To address this imbalance, Puerto Rico could significantly enhance its low-carbon electricity generation by drawing lessons from other countries that have embraced clean energy technologies. For instance, Greece effectively utilizes solar power, generating 22% of its electricity from solar energy, which serves as an inspiring example for Puerto Rico considering its similar sunny climate. Furthermore, nations like Uruguay, which derives 36% of its electricity from wind energy, demonstrate how strategic investments in wind technology can lead to substantial clean energy generation. In addition, nuclear energy presents another viable path, as seen in countries such as France and Slovakia, which generate more than half of their electricity from nuclear power. By exploring and potentially adapting these successful strategies, Puerto Rico can diversify its electricity supply, reduce its carbon footprint, and improve its energy independence.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Puerto Rico reflects a pattern of minor changes over several decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, hydroelectricity experienced small fluctuations, with increases and decreases of about 0.1 TWh in various years, yet it failed to lead to a long-term shift towards a significant share of clean energy. In the 2010s, there was a notable attempt to diversify with a slight increase in wind power generation, particularly in 2013, and later, a modest increase in solar energy around 2019. However, these efforts did not maintain consistent growth, as demonstrated by static or even declining generation in some years, such as a decline in wind energy in 2023. Despite these small-scale and inconsistent developments, there exists substantial potential for Puerto Rico to significantly increase its clean energy share by adopting a more robust and committed approach to expanding its low-carbon electricity infrastructure.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources