Electricity in Jamaica in 2022
In Jamaica, the state of electricity consumption in 2022 was heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with over 87% of electricity generated from gas and other fossil sources. More than half of this share came from gas alone, accounting for approximately 53%. In contrast, low-carbon or clean energy made up nearly 13% of the nation's electricity generation. Within this category, wind led the way with about 6%, followed by solar and hydropower at nearly 3% each, and biofuels contributing just above 1%. This substantial dependency on fossil fuels highlights a clear opportunity for growth in clean energy to reduce emissions and address environmental challenges.
Is Electricity Growing in Jamaica?
Jamaica's electricity consumption has been on a decline, showing significant drops from historical peaks. In 2022, the total electricity consumption was 1,581 kWh per person, marking a significant reduction from the record-high level of 2,780 kWh per person seen in 2005. This represents a decline of 1,199 kWh per inhabitant. Similarly, the production of low-carbon electricity hasn't grown as expected. The latest figures showed 204 kWh per person, slightly lower than the previous record of 229 kWh per person achieved in 1983. This indicates a disheartening trend, pointing to reduced growth and investment in clean energy technologies that are crucial for sustainable development.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Jamaica can take inspiration from regions that have successfully expanded their clean energy footprints. For instance, Denmark's efficient exploitation of wind power, which accounts for more than half of its electricity generation, signals a potential pathway Jamaica could follow through the enhancement of its wind energy capabilities. On the solar front, Lebanon leads with 31% from solar, illustrating how significant strides can be made with the right investment and policies. While nuclear energy might currently be absent from Jamaica's energy mix, countries like France, producing 69% of its electricity from nuclear, underscore its potential as a robust and sustainable energy source. By leveraging technologies like solar and exploring nuclear as a strategic option, Jamaica can significantly diversify and expand its low-carbon electricity generation.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Jamaica has experienced mild fluctuations over time, primarily due to biofuel and wind energy contributions. During the early 1970s and into the mid-1990s, biofuel electricity generation saw slight increases and decreases without substantial expansion or innovation. Since the early 2000s, biofuel has shown negligible growth and a few reductions. Wind energy generation began contributing in 2011, with minor growth in 2016, signaling positive yet limited progress. Hydropower has remained stable without evident growth, as seen from the lack of changes in figures for 1973 and 2001. This patchy history of low-carbon electricity emphasizes the need for a more aggressive and consistent approach to clean energy investment, especially in the areas of solar and nuclear, to foster growth and secure Jamaica's sustainable energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.