How much electricity comes from renewable sources?
In 2021, 24 percent of all electricity produced in the Caribbean Netherlands came from renewable sources. Most of this renewable electricity came from wind turbines, although solar panels were also used. The production of solar power has primarily increased on St Eustatius and Saba in recent years.
| Jaartal | Caribbean Netherlands | European Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28.6 | 12.2 |
| 2013 | 31.6 | 12.0 |
| 2014 | 34.3 | 11.3 |
| 2015 | 31.6 | 12.4 |
| 2016 | 28.5 | 12.8 |
| 2017 | 25.8 | 14.9 |
| 2018 | 33.1 | 16.5 |
| 2019 | 28.4 | 18.8 |
| 2020 | 22.7 | 26.7 |
| 2021 | 24.1 | 33.0 |
Total electricity production for the three islands of the Caribbean Netherlands amounted to 156.2 million kWh in 2021, of which 24 percent (37.7 million kWh) came from renewable sources. This was 29 percent in 2012 (32.5 million kWh). Electricity production from renewable sources peaked in 2018, at 33 percent. Renewable sources account for 33 percent of total electricity production in the European Netherlands. Since 2020, the European Netherlands has had a higher share of renewable electricity than the Caribbean Netherlands. However, it should be noted that the figures on the Caribbean Netherlands do not include electricity from solar installations in homes and businesses, while those of the European Netherlands do.
Bonaire relies on wind
Electricity production on Bonaire amounted to 130.6 million kWh in 2021. A share of 29.2 million kWh (22 percent) was renewable. Almost all renewable electricity (99 percent) was produced using wind turbines. The remainder was provided by solar panels. In 2014, renewable electricity held a share of 42 percent on Bonaire. This was approximately 30 percent in subsequent years.
| Jaartal | Fossil | Renewable |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 58.6 | 32.5 |
| 2013 | 56.9 | 36.7 |
| 2014 | 56.1 | 41.2 |
| 2015 | 63.4 | 40.1 |
| 2016 | 73.3 | 35.1 |
| 2017 | 81.9 | 31.5 |
| 2018 | 76.0 | 37.1 |
| 2019 | 88.1 | 32.5 |
| 2020 | 95.7 | 25.4 |
| 2021 | 101.5 | 29.2 |
More solar power on St Eustatius
Electricity production on St Eustatius amounted to 16.3 million kWh in 2021. The renewable electricity share was 5.2 million kWh or 32 percent. The share reached its highest level in 2018, namely 45 percent. Decreases in 2020 and 2021 coincided with maintenance work on the installations. This electricity was mainly produced using solar panels. Solar energy was initially generated at a new solar facility, in its first phase as of 2016. The second phase was completed in November 2017 and significantly increased solar energy production on the island.
During the day, the solar park on St Eustatius is able to meet all of the island’s electricity needs. In the evening and at night, and if the weather is not ideal (cloudy conditions), the system automatically switches to production based on diesel generators.
| Jaartal | Fossil | Renewable |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 13.7 | 0.0 |
| 2013 | 13.5 | 0.0 |
| 2014 | 13.4 | 0.0 |
| 2015 | 13.9 | 0.0 |
| 2016 | 11.6 | 2.3 |
| 2017 | 10.2 | 3.8 |
| 2018 | 7.8 | 6.5 |
| 2019 | 8.7 | 6.3 |
| 2020 | 10.4 | 4.8 |
| 2021 | 11.1 | 5.2 |
Solar parks on Saba
Electricity production on Saba amounted to 9.2 million kWh in 2021. Of this, 3.3 million kWh is renewable, equivalent to 36 percent of total production. Saba currently has two solar parks, with the first becoming operational in February 2018 and the second in February 2019.
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