Electricity in Dominica in 2023
As of 2023, Dominica's electricity consumption is predominantly reliant on fossil fuel sources, making up nearly 87% of the total electricity generation. Low-carbon or clean energy accounts for about 13%, with hydropower being the only contributor in this category. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels is a significant concern due to the environmental impacts such as climate change and air pollution. This underscores the urgent need for Dominica to diversify its energy portfolio by increasing the proportion of low-carbon electricity, particularly by including solar and nuclear energy options which are efficient and environmentally friendly.
Is Electricity Growing in Dominica?
Currently, electricity consumption in Dominica is experiencing a slight decline, which is cause for concern given the rising global demand for cleaner electric power. In 2023, the electricity consumption per person was 2,256 kWh, a decrease from the 2016 record of 2,300 kWh per person. Moreover, the low-carbon electricity consumption per person has dropped significantly from the 2011 record of 579 kWh/person to 301 kWh/person in 2023. These declines highlight a missed opportunity for growth in low-carbon electricity, which is particularly troubling given the global shift toward clean energy for sustainable development and reduced carbon footprints.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Dominica can learn from countries and regions that have successfully adopted clean energy sources. For example, the wind power expertise in Iowa and Denmark, where wind contributes to more than 50% of electricity generation, can serve as a model for Dominica to harness wind energy effectively. Additionally, Lebanon's success with solar electricity reaching 31% could inspire similar solar projects in Dominica. On the nuclear front, France's achievement with nuclear energy accounting for 69% of its electricity presents a compelling case for Dominica to consider pursuing nuclear energy, which offers a stable, high-output, and low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. By embracing a mix of solar, wind, and nuclear options, Dominica can significantly advance its low-carbon electricity generation efforts, ensuring a sustainable energy future.
History
Historically, Dominica's low-carbon electricity generation has been static with respect to its reliance on hydropower, which has remained unchanged from 2001 to 2020. During these two decades, there was no recorded increase in low-carbon output or diversification. This stagnation signals an urgent need for policy and investment shifts to modernize Dominica's energy infrastructure. Despite the challenges, this also represents an opportunity for Dominica to leap into a green future by integrating modern and more effective low-carbon energy technologies like solar and nuclear, paving the way towards a sustainable energy ecosystem.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.