In 2022, electricity consumption in St. Lucia was overwhelmingly dominated by fossil energy, accounting for more than 97% of the total supply. This dependence on fossil fuels is concerning due to its significant contribution to climate change and air pollution. Low-carbon energy, all of which came from solar, made up a mere 2.5% of St. Lucia's electricity production. This tiny proportion of low-carbon energy indicates a pressing need for St. Lucia to diversify its electricity sources by incorporating more sustainable options like solar and nuclear, which can lower carbon emissions and provide reliable energy.

Data sources used on this page include EIA and Ember. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in St. Lucia?

Electricity consumption in St. Lucia has seen a small decline recently. The latest figure, 2238 kWh/person in 2022, shows a reduction from the previous record of 2364 kWh/person set in 2019. This change represents a decrease of 127 kWh/person. Meanwhile, low-carbon electricity generation remains almost stagnant, with a marginal drop from a record 57 kWh/person in 2018 to 56 kWh/person in 2022. Such reductions in both overall and low-carbon electricity consumption highlight the urgent need for St. Lucia to bolster its low-carbon capabilities to meet potential future demands and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Suggestions

St. Lucia can significantly increase its low-carbon electricity generation by looking at successful regions around the world. For instance, countries like France and Slovakia generate more than two-thirds of their electricity from nuclear energy, demonstrating the feasibility of achieving a clean and robust energy mix. Additionally, solar energy has shown promise in regions like Nevada, where solar contributes 34% of electricity, indicating a potential pathway for St. Lucia. By investing in both solar and nuclear energy, St. Lucia can transition to a greener energy system while enhancing its electricity capacity and resilience.

History

Regrettably, the history of low-carbon electricity generation in St. Lucia reveals stagnation. From 2018 to 2022, solar electricity generation has shown zero change, indicating no progress in adopting sustainable energy during this period. This lack of development is disappointing and implies missed opportunities for expansion into low-carbon technologies that can bolster St. Lucia's energy security while decreasing its carbon footprint. It is crucial for St. Lucia to harness its solar potential and explore nuclear options to ensure a more sustainable energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade