In 2023, the U.S. Virgin Islands relied on fossil fuels for about 97% of its electricity consumption. Low-carbon electricity supplied just 3%, entirely from solar. This leaves substantial room to expand clean electricity and reduce the climate-changing emissions and air pollution associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in U.S. Virgin Islands?

Electricity consumption per person remains well below its historical peak. In 2023, it reached about 7,800 kWh per person, roughly 1,900 kWh—or 20%—below the record set in 2004. These figures show a decline from that peak, although they do not establish the latest year-to-year trend. Low-carbon electricity generation, meanwhile, reached a new high of 233 kWh per person, edging above the previous record of 231 kWh in 2022. That small gain is welcome, but faster clean electricity growth would better support future electrification and new electricity demand.

Suggestions

Solar expansion is a promising priority, with the US state of Hawaii providing a relevant island example: solar supplies about 23% of its electricity, compared with just 3% in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Cyprus also generates about 23% from solar, while Cape Verde gets about 14% each from solar and wind, illustrating how island regions can develop both sources. Rooftop solar, larger solar installations, storage, and grid improvements could help turn these examples into practical progress. The territory should also consider nuclear electricity as a source of dependable low-carbon generation, including assessing smaller reactor designs suited to its electricity needs. France, where nuclear supplies about two-thirds of electricity, and the US state of South Carolina, where it supplies just over half, demonstrate nuclear’s potential contribution to a clean electricity system.

History

From 2014 through 2023, every reported annual change in solar electricity generation was 0 TWh at the precision provided. The historical series therefore shows no measurable annual increase or decline at that reporting scale, rather than proving that generation was exactly unchanged. Indeed, the small per-person increase recorded in 2023 illustrates why finer detail matters. Overall, the available history points to limited visible progress, reinforcing the case for a much stronger expansion of low-carbon electricity.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade