Electricity in St. Vincent & Grenadines in 2022

In 2022, the electricity consumption in St. Vincent & Grenadines was predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, making up more than three-quarters of their total electricity generation, highlighting a significant dependence on non-clean energy sources. Of the remaining electricity generated, over a fifth came from low-carbon sources, specifically hydropower, which constituted about 24% of the total electricity consumption. This indicates that while St. Vincent & Grenadines is making strides towards integrating clean energy into their grid, there is still a large commitment to fossil fuels that needs addressing to make more holistic progress towards sustainable energy solutions.

Suggestions

To increase the share of low-carbon electricity, St. Vincent & Grenadines could look to implement and expand other forms of clean energy such as wind and solar, which have proven successful in countries with similar characteristics. For instance, Uruguay and Ireland have harnessed wind energy to account for about a third of their total electricity, showcasing the potential of wind power in countries with abundant wind resources. Similarly, Greece and Chile have significantly integrated solar power into their energy mix, both achieving close to a quarter of their electricity from solar, providing a viable model for St. Vincent & Grenadines, which may have similar solar potential due to geographical conditions. Embracing and incorporating these clean energies could considerably reduce the dependency on fossil fuels.

History

Historically, St. Vincent & Grenadines' approach to low-carbon electricity generation has been stagnant over the past two decades. Between 2001 and 2020, there has been no recorded change in electricity generation from hydropower. This lack of progression highlights a period of missed opportunities in diversifying and expanding their clean energy portfolio. The consistent reliance solely on hydropower without exploring other low-carbon options may have limited their capacity for sustainable growth. Moving forward, by learning from global examples and actively investing in diversifying their clean energy sources, St. Vincent & Grenadines can better position themselves to reduce fossil fuel dependency and foster environmentally sustainable electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources