Electricity in Suriname in 2021
In 2021, Suriname's electricity consumption portfolio was fairly evenly split between low-carbon and fossil sources, each contributing more than a third of the total energy mix. Hydropower was the primary low-carbon source, accounting for almost the same percentage as the fossil sources, while solar made up less than 1%. This indicates that while Suriname has made noteworthy strides towards clean energy, dependence on fossil fuels remains significant. Additionally, net imports of electricity accounted for almost 30% of Suriname's electricity consumption.
Suggestions
Looking to the future, Suriname can look towards countries where low-carbon energy sources play a significant role. With its abundant water resources, it might consider examples like Slovakia, Czechia, and Slovenia, where nuclear energy contributes over a third to the electricity mix. However, these countries' geographic and socio-economic context may differ from Suriname. On a more analogous note, countries with successful integration of low-carbon sources like Uruguay and Denmark, where wind energy accounts for over 30% of power generation can serve as potential role models. Similarly, Suriname's nascent solar sector can take cues from countries like Chile, Yemen, or Jordan, where solar energy contribution hovers around 15-17%.
History
Low-carbon electricity in Suriname has seen ups and downs, predominantly reliant on hydroelectric power. The early 1980s saw a marginal decline in hydropower output, which was revived towards the end of the decade. The 1990s were a period of modest growth, with a slight slump towards the end of the century. The onset of the 21st century saw a significant dip in 2000 but bounced back during the 2010s. However, the trend reveals an overall slow yet steady growth over the past decades. Nevertheless, there have been some setbacks. Particularly in 2012 and 2014, Suriname witnessed a decline in its hydropower generation. Despite this, low-carbon electricity in Suriname has shown resilience and the potential for future growth and expansion.