Electricity in St. Lucia in 2022
In 2022, St. Lucia heavily relied on fossil fuels for its electricity consumption, with these sources accounting for a significant 97.5% of the total electricity used across the island. In stark contrast, low-carbon energy sources, exclusively solar in this instance, contributed a modest 2.5%. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels includes numerous challenges, such as contributing to climate change and air pollution, which further underlines the pressing need to transition to more sustainable sources of energy. The usage of low-carbon energy sources, although presently minimal, represents an important starting point for potential growth towards a more sustainable energy future for St. Lucia.
Is Electricity Growing in St. Lucia?
Unfortunately, recent trends indicate a decline in electricity consumption in St. Lucia. The total electricity consumption per person in 2022 was approximately 2,238 kWh, which shows a downward shift from the historic record of 2,364 kWh per person in 2019. This reflects a decrease of about 127 kWh per person. In terms of low-carbon electricity, St. Lucia's generation stood at about 56 kWh per person in 2022, slightly down from their peak generation of 57 kWh per person in 2018. This stagnation and slight decline in electricity consumption, especially in low-carbon generation, are concerning and highlight the need for strategic planning to boost sustainable electricity generation.
Suggestions
To foster a meaningful transition towards low-carbon energy, St. Lucia can draw inspiration from regions excelling in such initiatives. Considering the potential for solar energy on this sun-rich island, examples like Lebanon, where solar energy covers 31% of electricity generation, and Greece, also at 21%, present compelling models for St. Lucia. Meanwhile, regions with successful nuclear energy implementations, such as France, where nuclear accounts for 68% of electricity, provide insights into diversifying low-carbon sources. Embracing both solar and potential nuclear energy applications could significantly enhance St. Lucia's clean energy share, moving towards a more independent and sustainable electricity framework.
History
Delving into the history of low-carbon electricity generation in St. Lucia, data reveals close to no growth over recent years. From 2018 through to 2022, the contribution of solar energy remained stagnant, showing no increase or decrease with each passing year. The absence of growth in solar energy during this period is disappointing, given the global push for sustainable energy solutions during this timeframe. This stagnation identifies an area ripe for innovation and development, especially with St. Lucia's favorable conditions for solar energy. The challenge now is to cultivate a robust strategy that leverages solar energy's potential while exploring opportunities to integrate other low-carbon solutions like nuclear energy into its electricity portfolio.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.