In 2022, Aruba's electricity consumption was primarily powered by fossil fuels, with more than three-quarters of the electricity being generated from these sources. Specifically, fossil fuels contributed 83% to the electricity grid. Low-carbon energy sources accounted for a modest 17% of the total electricity production, with wind energy being the major contributor at 14%, and solar energy making up the remaining 3%. This current energy mix highlights a heavy dependence on fossil fuels, which brings about the need for a shift towards more sustainable and clean energy options to combat challenges like climate change and air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Aruba?
In terms of electricity consumption trends, Aruba has seen a slight decline. In 2022, the per-person electricity consumption was around 9281 kWh, which is a decrease from the previous high of 9736 kWh in 2007; this marks a drop of about 454 kWh per person. Similarly, the generation of low-carbon electricity has also seen a decline from its previous record of 1728 kWh per person in 2015 to 1578 kWh in 2022, a reduction of 150 kWh per person. This declining trend in overall and low-carbon electricity generation poses concerns about meeting future demands and transitioning towards more sustainable energy solutions.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Aruba can build upon its existing wind capacity, which is a vital component of its clean energy portfolio. Looking at successful regions, Denmark and Iowa have substantial wind energy shares, at 57% and 62%, respectively, demonstrating the potential for increased wind infrastructure. Furthermore, expanding solar energy could be greatly beneficial. Countries like Lebanon show that solar can constitute 31% of electricity generation, indicating significant room for growth in solar power in Aruba. Additionally, considering nuclear options could diversify the energy mix further. Regions such as France, where nuclear power accounts for almost 70% of electricity generation, can provide models for implementing nuclear energy as part of an integrated low-carbon strategy.
History
Historically, Aruba's journey in low-carbon electricity began in the last decade with wind energy contributing since 2009. The initial significant expansion was seen in 2010 with a growth of 0.1 TWh in wind energy. However, subsequent years have not seen considerable changes, with both wind and solar energy remaining stagnant in terms of expansion. More recent years, particularly through the 2010s, showed little to no growth in the addition of low-carbon energy sources, which underscores the potential for advancement in this area. Embracing aggressive clean energy strategies, including solar and nuclear, could energize growth in low-carbon electricity, setting Aruba on a path toward a more sustainable future.