Dominica depends on imported oil for energy up to 75 % at a
cost of almost 30 million US dollars at 2007 rates. Oil imports use about 9 % of the GDP. Approximately 54 % of its earnings from the export of merchandise are used to purchase oil. Dominica’s national goal is to reduce oil dependence to 50 % of the present day requirements by 2020. Dominica is actively pursuing development of their geothermal energy resources.
Guadeloupe operates wind farms of over 18 MW total capacity. In addition, the geothermal plant built in Bouillante contributes about 8 % of the electricity consumed in Guadeloupe. Future plans include using Dominica’s high geothermal potential to contribute to Guadeloupe’s and Martinique’s growing electricity demands.
St. Lucia announced in 1999 its intention to become a Sustainable Energy Demonstration Country. Although the island is making strides towards this, they are still largely dependent on imported fossil fuel. In the Electricity sector, they have recognized that the largest benefit of wind energy is the avoided cost of energy imports. Government will support the establishment of a wind energy park on the East coast of the island that will initially have a capacity of 12 megawatts with a maximum capacity of 30 megawatts. In 2004, Government entered into an agreement with a foreign concern for the exploration and generation of geothermal electricity in the Soufrière area. To date, there has been no progress. The Government plans to take all steps to expedite the process of making geothermal a reality and further reducing the country’s dependence on oil. There are also plans to develop their hydro-electric potential of 200-300 KW and mini hydro-electric technology for the farming sector. Plans are also established for a number of small pilot photovoltaic projects in various parts of the island. Some of these will be interconnected to the main electricity grid, demonstrating the feasibility of net-metering whereby the excess power can be sold to the electricity company.
Renewable energy implementation has seen many ups and downs in Guyana; it has been as insecure as the entire energy situation in the country. LPGs represent seventy to eighty percent of the total energy consumption, the rest being represented by firewood, charcoal, biomass, biodiesel, wind, solar and biogas. The pig industry largely sustained the biogas industry in the past. A few of these still operate in coastal communities. Guyana has a small solar electrification programme for unserved areas in the hinterland. In recent times, attention has been focused on wind energy development. Guyana has embarked on a 12 MW windfarm project, which hopefully will be under construction in the near future. Guyana has a hydropower potential of 7000 MW by virtue of its many large rivers. In recent times, there has been a proposal on Caribbean power integration using Guyana’s hydro-electricity. The project entails design and construction of a dam and hydro power plant with a capacity of up to 1100 MW on the Mazaruni river. The plan is to deliver power to Brazil and the Caribbean region via a High Voltage Direct Current transmission system, both overland and undersea. This project would also have the advantages of significant carbon credit sales, lower price power and much needed development of Guyana’s natural resources.
Grenada has made provision for
revision of its Electricity Supply Act (ESA) to include renewable energy technologies. The Government is currently exploring possibilities of reducing expenses for electricity by employing photovoltaics in schools, police stations and health centres. A local company is providing grid-connect PV systems with net metering to private and commercial customers. The Government has also sought external assistance in wind site monitoring in an effort to harness wind power to supplement their electricity supply.
Trinidad and Tobago will continue to focus on natural gas be-
in the Caribbean with three major companies manufacturing solar water heaters (SWHs) for the domestic and international markets. This country also has the second highest penetration of SWHs in the world, with close to 40,000 heaters installed in a population of 270,000 people.
cause of the country’s wealth in hydrocarbon reserves. However, the country has noted that this is not infinite and is actually shifting some focus on to renewables. Small solar thermal projects are already in progress and plans are in place for the development of a photovoltaics manufacturing industry. In order to stimulate development of its renewable energy potentials, the Government has set up a Renewable Energy Committee to further investigate possibilities and formulate policies which will guide future development.
St. Vincent currently has three hydroelectricity plants in oper-
Conclusion
Barbados has the most vibrant solar water heater programme
ation providing 20 % of the island’s electricity needs. The utility company, VINLEC, is currently undertaking upgrading of existing plants and feasibility studies for new sites.
Guyana has been exploring different RE technologies depending
on location within the country and available resources. It is the only English speaking country in South America and is divided into four ecological zones: i. the coastal belt ii. the sand and clay belt iii. the forest hinterland iv. the interior Savannahs
The Caribbean region is confronted with numerous challenges in the energy sector. High fuel prices dominate the region, except for Trinidad and Tobago. However, the level of consciousness about renewable energy applications is rapidly increasing. The Caribbean Renewable Energy Programme has been a catalyst for change in the movement towards expansion of RE technologies in the region. CREDP has also been a source for funding for RE projects and for capacity building, which is much needed in the region. Energy efficiency and energy conservation will be the major thrust of the CREEDP/GTZ in the comingyears. The University of the West Indies is also engaging in further research and training in Renewable Energy to satisfy the growing needs of the region.
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