Photo description: The largest solar park on Saba with the airport in the background

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.

Renewable electricity production (%)
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.

Electricity production, Bonaire (million kWh)
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.

Electricity production, St Eustatius (million kWh)
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.

37.7 million kWh renewable electricity production in the Caribbean Netherlands in 2021 Buitenvorm Binnenvorm

More information on energy and water connections and production

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