Electricity in St. Vincent & Grenadines in 2021
In St. Vincent & Grenadines, the total power consumption per person is about 175 watts, significantly lower than the global average of 412 watts per person. The country's energy mix is dominated by fossil energy, accounting for more than half of the total consumption at around 131 watts per person. Low-carbon energy, mostly in the form of hydropower, generates roughly 44 watts per person, making up just under a quarter of the total energy use. The lack of a more diverse low-carbon power portfolio and over-reliance on fossil fuels could lead to an unsustainable energy future for St. Vincent & Grenadines. It also does not import or export any electricity, which might limit its options to utilize cleaner energy from neighbouring countries.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, St. Vincent & Grenadines could take notes from countries like Denmark and Ireland, where wind energy alone generates 369 and 258 watts per person respectively. Embarking on an aggressive strategy to boost wind power could drastically tip the balance in favour of low-carbon energy. Simultaneously, solar energy might offer another promising avenue for enhancement of clean power generation, as seen in countries like Australia and Malta, which generate 147 and 56 watts per person respectively from solar energy. These countries have successfully harnessed their climates to support green energy infrastructure, an approach that should be feasible for a tropical paradise like St. Vincent & Grenadines.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in St. Vincent & Grenadines paints a stagnant picture. Hydro energy has been the only source of such power for the past two decades, and there has been no significant change in its production levels since the early 2000s. While hydropower has contributed to the electricity generation in the country over these years, its static development highlights a missed opportunity for diversification into other low-carbon sources like wind or solar power. This pattern indicates a need for a more proactive approach to expand the low-carbon energy sector and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.