Electricity in Suriname in 2022

In 2022, the state of electricity consumption in Suriname showed a nearly equal split between fossil fuels and low-carbon sources. Just over half of the electricity, about 52%, came from fossil fuels, while the remaining 48% was derived from low-carbon energy sources. A significant portion of this low-carbon electricity was generated by hydropower, which alone accounted for roughly 47%. This highlights Suriname's efforts to adopt clean energy, but there is still potential to further reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, owing to their contribution to climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Suriname can look to global examples of successful adoption of clean technologies. Countries like Uruguay, which generates 36% of its electricity from wind, show that scaling up wind power can be a viable route. Similarly, Greece's use of solar power, accounting for 22% of their electricity, demonstrates the potential of solar energy in regions with abundant sunlight. While nuclear energy plays a major role in countries such as France and Slovakia, Suriname's geographical and infrastructural context might make solar and wind more immediately feasible. By investing in solar and wind infrastructure, Suriname can further decrease its reliance on fossil fuels and enhance its energy security.

History

Throughout its history, Suriname has experienced fluctuations in its low-carbon electricity generation, primarily reliant on hydropower. In the 1980s, hydropower generation was inconsistent, with notable decreases in 1981, 1983, and 1986. Moving into the late 1980s and early 1990s, there were modest increases; the largest being a 0.6 TWh rise in 1989. The early 2000s showed periodic declines, particularly a significant drop of 0.6 TWh in 2000. However, stability returned in the 2010s with increases, such as in 2010 and 2016, albeit small. Collectively, these fluctuations signify periods of both growth and challenges in Suriname's journey toward sustainable electricity generation. Strengthening their use of hydropower and exploring additional low-carbon options could provide a more stable and green energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources