Electricity in St. Vincent & Grenadines in 2023
In 2023, St. Vincent & Grenadines relies heavily on fossil energy sources, which constitute a significant portion of its electricity consumption—about 87% to be precise. Low-carbon energy, despite its tremendous potential, makes up just over a tenth of the country's electricity, with hydropower accounting for all of it. This means that clean, green energy contributes minimally to the nation’s electricity mix, leaving a significant dependency on fossil fuels, which are notorious for contributing to climate change and air pollution. The country stands at a crossroads where it can either continue its reliance on fossil sources for most of its electricity or pivot to a more sustainable energy strategy that focuses on increasing the share of low-carbon electricity.
Is Electricity Growing in St. Vincent & Grenadines?
Unfortunately, the electricity consumption landscape in St. Vincent & Grenadines has seen a decline rather than growth, which is not a positive development in terms of meeting future electrification demands. The latest figures indicate that electricity consumption per person is 1481 kWh, which is slightly less than the previous record set in 2016 at 1505 kWh. Similarly, there has been a notable decrease in low-carbon electricity generation; the current per person figure is 197 kWh, down from 276 kWh in 2012. This decline highlights a stagnation in clean electricity generation, which must be addressed to energize the economy, improve sustainability, and reduce the environmental impacts of fossil fuels.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, St. Vincent & Grenadines should consider investing in both solar and nuclear energy, drawing lessons from successful regions around the globe. Countries like Lebanon and Chile have made significant advancements in solar energy, contributing over 20% to their energy mix. Similarly, France, Slovakia, and many U.S. states have harnessed nuclear power effectively, achieving low-carbon electricity shares upwards of 50%. Leveraging nuclear technology, alongside the abundant solar potential in the region, can significantly transform St. Vincent & Grenadines’ energy landscape to a more sustainable and eco-friendly one, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and advancing the country’s electricity infrastructure.
History
Historically, the story of low-carbon electricity in St. Vincent & Grenadines has been one of stagnation, especially in the realm of hydropower. From the early 2000s to 2020, hydropower generation remained constant, showing no changes or expansions. This long-standing stability suggests a missed opportunity for development and diversification in the low-carbon sector. As global climate goals become more stringent and the demand for sustainable energy solutions rises, St. Vincent & Grenadines must revitalize its approach to low-carbon electricity by breaking away from historical inactivity and embracing innovative energy solutions such as solar and nuclear power. Only then can the country take significant strides toward a cleaner, greener, and more electrified future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.