In 2023, St. Vincent & Grenadines relied on fossil fuels for about 87% of its electricity consumption—almost seven-eighths of the total. Low-carbon electricity supplied the remaining 13%, entirely from hydropower. This leaves considerable scope to expand clean electricity and reduce the climate-changing emissions and air pollution associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in St. Vincent & Grenadines?

Electricity consumption per person remained below its historical peak rather than setting a new record. In 2023, it reached about 1,480 kWh per person, roughly 24 kWh below the 2016 record of 1,505 kWh—a gap of about 2%. Low-carbon electricity generation was further below its peak: about 197 kWh per person, compared with 276 kWh in 2012, a decline of nearly 29%. These figures do not establish the latest year-on-year trend, but the shortfall in clean electricity is concerning. Renewed growth would help meet future electricity needs from electrification and digital services.

Suggestions

To expand low-carbon electricity, St. Vincent & Grenadines could prioritize solar installations on rooftops and suitable land, supported by storage and grid improvements. Relevant island examples include the US state of Hawaii, where solar supplies about 23% of electricity, and Samoa and Vanuatu, each at about 13%. Cape Verde offers another useful model, generating about 14% from solar and another 14% from wind; local wind assessments could identify similar opportunities. Nuclear should also be considered through a long-term assessment of options appropriate to the country’s electricity system and possible regional cooperation. France and Slovakia, where nuclear supplies roughly two-thirds of electricity, demonstrate its potential to deliver substantial amounts of low-carbon electricity.

History

The historical data show no reported annual change in hydropower generation from 2001 through 2020: every listed year records a change of zero TWh. Across the 2000s and 2010s, and into 2020, the series therefore shows no visible expansion at the precision provided. These rounded changes do not necessarily mean generation was exactly identical every year, nor do they mean hydropower produced no electricity. Nevertheless, the absence of recorded growth highlights the importance of building on the existing hydro contribution with additional clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade