Electricity in U.S. Virgin Islands in 2023
The U.S. Virgin Islands currently rely almost exclusively on fossil fuels for their electricity needs, with more than 97% of generation coming from this source. This is a significant concern, given the environmental impacts such as climate change and air pollution associated with fossil fuels. On the bright side, solar energy accounts for nearly 3% of the electricity mix. While this percentage represents a promising foothold for clean energy in the region, the numbers highlight the strong dependency on fossil energy and underscore the urgent need to expand low-carbon electricity sources like solar and nuclear.
Is Electricity Growing in U.S. Virgin Islands?
Electricity consumption appears to be on a downward trend in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2023, the per person electricity consumption stood at 7,821 kWh, which is nearly 2,000 kWh less than the peak in 2004 when it was 9,740 kWh per person. Fortunately, the low-carbon component of their electricity supply shows a positive change, albeit minimal. The latest low-carbon electricity generation per person is 233 kWh compared to 231 kWh in 2022. Although this is a small increase of just 2 kWh per person, it signals a step in the right direction for clean energy. Nonetheless, overall, any decline in electricity generation is worrying, as more electricity is essential for future developments in technology and clean electrification.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, the U.S. Virgin Islands can draw inspiration from regions that have successfully integrated solar and nuclear power into their electricity mix. Lebanon and Cyprus, where solar energy constitutes more than 20% of electricity generation, can serve as models for expanding solar capacity in the Islands. On the nuclear front, countries like France and states such as New Hampshire have successfully achieved more than half of their electricity generation from nuclear power. Replicating these models could enable a significant transformation in the low-carbon energy landscape of the U.S. Virgin Islands, leading to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation, particularly solar, in the U.S. Virgin Islands has been notably stagnant over the past decade. From 2014 to 2023, there were no recorded increases in solar electricity generation. This is a disappointing trend in a time when the global demand and emphasis on green energy are escalating. The absence of significant progress in this domain indicates a critical need for concerted efforts to boost solar capacity, harnessing the abundant sunlight available in the region. Investment in solar infrastructure and potentially nuclear facilities can set the Islands on a path towards a sustainable energy future that aligns with global low-carbon trends.