In 2022, electricity consumption in Guadeloupe relied heavily on fossil fuels, with over 65% of the electricity coming from these sources. This is quite concerning given the environmental impacts such as climate change and air pollution associated with fossil fuel usage. On the brighter side, low-carbon or green energy sources accounted for close to 35% of electricity production in the region. Specifically, biofuels contributed about 15%, while wind and solar both generated almost 7% each, and geothermal provided a bit more than 6%. The reliance on clean energy is a positive sign, but the dominance of fossil fuels indicates a significant need for growth in low-carbon electricity generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Guadeloupe?
Electricity consumption in Guadeloupe has seen minor fluctuations over recent years. In 2022, the per capita consumption was approximately 4264 kWh, a slight decrease from the 2016 peak of 4375 kWh per person. This indicates a decline, albeit not steep, in overall electricity usage. However, there is a silver lining: low-carbon electricity generation per person has increased and reached a new peak in 2022, standing at 1482 kWh per person compared to a previous high in 2021 of 1403 kWh per person. This growth in clean electricity suggests a positive shift towards more sustainable consumption, which is promising for the region's energy future.
Suggestions
To further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Guadeloupe can look towards strategies implemented by successful regions. The advancement of solar energy could take inspiration from Lebanon, where solar accounts for 31% of electricity generation, showcasing significant potential for solar expansion in sunny regions like Guadeloupe. Additionally, the adoption of nuclear energy could mirror countries like France, where nuclear accounts for 69% of electricity generation, contributing to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions. By focusing on solar and nuclear development, Guadeloupe can significantly boost its green energy output and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Guadeloupe's development of low-carbon energy has been gradual. In the early 2000s, biofuels saw little change, and geothermal made small advances with a notable increase in 2005. Solar energy began to make its presence known in 2012 with further minor changes in geothermal by the mid-2010s. By 2021, biofuels picked up pace with a slight increase in production. However, the data through 2022 suggests that overall progress in diversifying low-carbon electricity sources has been slow. The region now faces an imperative to accelerate this transition, harnessing the lessons from globally successful regions to robustly increase its clean energy share in the coming years.