Electricity in St. Lucia in 2021
In 2021, the electricity consumption in St. Lucia was lower than the global average, reaching only around 222 watts per person, all of which came from fossil fuel sources. This is a lot less than half of the global average power consumption per person, which is about 412 watts. St. Lucia does not currently import or export any electricity, meaning local energy consumption is exclusively met by in-country production. The complete dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation has both environmental and health implications due to carbon emissions that contribute to climate change and air pollution, unlike low-carbon energy sources like nuclear and wind.
Suggestions
Increasing the share of low-carbon energy sources in St. Lucia could be a sustainable alternative to current fossil fuel reliance. Investments in nuclear, wind or solar would significantly reduce carbon output and align with global sustainable development goals. Considering the capacity of other similar countries could provide useful insights. For instance, Denmark and Ireland, both small island nations like St. Lucia, have successfully utilized wind technology extensively, generating 369 and 258 watts per person respectively. Countries like Slovenia and Bulgaria have also exemplified the potential of nuclear energy, generating 301 and 273 watts per person respectively through this source. Despite their different geographical and climatic conditions, these successful examples demonstrate potential pathways to a low-carbon energy infrastructure in St. Lucia.
History
As for the history of low-carbon electricity generation in St. Lucia, the provided data does not include historical details or developments. However, it is important to point out that the shift towards low-carbon energy sources is not a simple plug-and-play solution. It requires careful planning, strategy, and investment. The decarbonisation journey often involves both big leaps and small steps. Significant advances, much like those made by Denmark in wind energy or Slovenia in nuclear, could serve as inspiration. However, the context of these countries should be taken into account when planning St. Lucia’s unique decarbonisation strategy. What's important is that the transition starts as soon as possible to reduce the harmful impacts of fossil fuels and to move towards a more sustainable, clean energy future.