Electricity in St. Vincent & Grenadines in 2023

In 2023, St. Vincent & Grenadines has a significant dependency on fossil fuels for its electricity generation, with over 85% of its electricity coming from these sources. This stark reliance heavily contributes to concerns about climate change and air pollution. Meanwhile, low-carbon electricity, primarily from hydropower, accounts for about 13% of the overall mix. This suggests St. Vincent & Grenadines is in the early stages of transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and there is a vital opportunity to ramp up efforts in this direction to both diversify the energy mix and reduce the environmental impact associated with the heavy use of fossil fuels.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, St. Vincent & Grenadines can look towards leading examples from other nations. Denmark, for instance, generates over half of its electricity from wind power, showcasing the potential of wind energy. Similarly, countries like Ireland and the Netherlands have successfully integrated solar and wind energy to cover significant portions of their electricity needs. These examples provide viable models for St. Vincent & Grenadines, given their island statuses and comparable scales, to consider diversifying their energy portfolio with solar and wind installations. Moreover, embracing nuclear energy, as done successfully by France and Slovakia, could be a pivotal step towards sustainable energy security.

History

Historically, St. Vincent & Grenadines has relied solely on hydropower for its low-carbon electricity, but this has remained stagnant over the years, with no recorded increase from 2001 through 2020. This prolonged period of non-growth suggests a need for policy and infrastructure development to support the advancement and expansion of clean energy sources. Learning from successful models and implementing strategies to invest in solar, wind, and potentially nuclear energy can play a critical role in transitioning St. Vincent & Grenadines to a more resilient and environmentally responsible energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources