Renewable energy in Antigua and Barbuda
Renewable energy in Antigua and Barbuda is in the early stages of development, with the islands currently relying heavily on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas to meet their energy needs. The government oversees energy generation primarily through the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), which provides electricity alongside a privately owned company, the Antigua Power Company (APC). Despite a significant reliance on imported oil, the country has begun to explore renewable energy solutions, particularly solar and wind power, as part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impacts.
Recent initiatives include a renewable energy campaign spearheaded by the national government, aiming to achieve a cleaner energy future and initially set a goal of transitioning away from fossil fuels by 2020, later extended to 2030. As of 2020, renewable sources contributed approximately 7% of the energy mix, with significant projects underway to develop wind energy and expand solar installations. Challenges such as rising oil prices, environmental degradation, and vulnerability to hurricanes further emphasize the need for sustainable energy alternatives in this small Caribbean nation. Through various international agreements and local initiatives, Antigua and Barbuda is actively working to enhance its energy sustainability while addressing pressing environmental concerns.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Renewable energy in Antigua and Barbuda
Official Name: Antigua and Barbuda.
Summary: Antigua and Barbuda remain dependent on fossil fuels for energy needs but are actively pursuing renewable energy technologies. The government oversees most of the islands’ energy generation through the Antigua Public Utilities Authority.
The country of Antigua and Barbuda is part of the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands. The country’s energy needs are largely met by fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Although oil is imported, the country produces, refines, and exports petroleum products. Electricity is supplied through the government-controlled Antigua Public Utilities Authority and the privately held Antigua Power Company (APC). The country is, however, actively pursuing renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce its dependence on oil and thereby avoid its high costs and negative environmental impact.
In the meantime, Antigua and Barbuda’s steadily rising population relies on traditional nonrenewable energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas. The country’s primary energy sources are powered by the use of imported oil. The country produces and refines its own gasoline, and petroleum products are a leading export. The country’s dependence on oil has negatively impacted its economy because of rising oil prices, adding to the large national deficit. Tourism comprises more than half of the gross domestic product (GDP), further straining the country’s energy resources.
The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), established through the Public Utilities Act of 1973 and subsequent revisions, is a government statutory agency overseeing the nation’s telecommunications, electricity, and water services. The minister of public utilities is a cabinet-level position. Electricity services fall under the Electricity Generation Division and the Electricity Transmission and Distribution Division. The APUA operates the Combined Power and Desalt Plant, the Friar’s Hill Power Plants, distribution substations, a transmission tower line, and distribution feeders and transformers. APUA also contracts with the privately owned Antigua Power Company (APC) to meet approximately 40 percent of its electricity generation.
Energy demands have contributed to deforestation and related problems, such as soil erosion, water shortages, toxic waste contamination, and other pollution. Improper oil disposal and lack of government environmental regulations have resulted in oceans and beaches, such as the Crabb’s Peninsula area, that are contaminated by oil. The nation is also susceptible to hurricanes, which may result in varying levels of damage to its energy infrastructure.
Antigua and Barbuda have begun to seek alternative, clean energy sources to meet both economic and environmental imperatives, setting an initial goal of becoming free of fossil fuels by 2020. When it was not met, this goal was extended to 2030. The national government initiated a renewable energy campaign, with the Office of the Prime Minister housing a sustainable energy officer. The resources under investigation have included solar, wind, and water. One of the national government’s key joint projects has been a campaign to harness wind energy led by expert Benjamin Jargstorf and the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP) with the assistance of the APUA and Digicel. The APUA has also undertaken a joint project with the company PV Energy to build solar installations.
As of 2020, roughly 7 percent of Antigua and Barbuda's energy came from solar power. The other 93 percent of its energy was sourced from fossil fuels. A key private project is the oil-recycling program, run by local businessman Ewart Harney of Harney Motors. The project converts waste oil into usable fuel. The Antigua and Barbuda Waste Recycling Corporation (ABWREC) is a project of the Rotary Club of Antigua Sundown. The national government has protected environmentally sensitive areas and established a Ministry of the Environment and the Historical, Conservation, and Environmental Commission. Antigua and Barbuda is party to a number of international agreements relating to energy and environmental preservation, including areas such as climate change, desertification, environmental modification, hazardous wastes, marine dumping, ozone layer protection, and ship pollution. Antigua and Barbuda is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol.
Bibliography
"Antigua & Barbuda Energy Snapshot." Energy Transitions Initiative, 2020, www.energy.gov/eere/articles/antigua-and-barbuda-island-energy-snapshot-2020. Accesed 30 July 2024.
"Antigua & Barbuda Renewable Energy Roadmap." IRENA, 2021, www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/March/IRENA‗Antigua‗Barbuda‗RE‗Roadmap‗2021.pdf. Accessed 30 July 2024.
Antigua & Barbuda Renewables Readiness Assessment. IRENA, 2016. Antigua and Barbuda's Government Information and Services, ab.gov.ag/services/energy/pdf/IRENA‗RRA‗Antigua‗and‗Barbuda‗2016.pdf. Accessed 30 July 2024.
Virdee, Karprit. "Antigua & Barbuda to Have New Solar Power + Energy Storage Installation." Interview by Jake Richardson. CleanTechnica, 17 Sept. 2018, cleantechnica.com/2018/09/17/antigua-barbuda-to-have-new-solar-power-energy-storage-installation/. Accessed 30 July 2024.