Suriname and renewable energy technologies
Suriname, located on the northeastern coast of South America, is primarily reliant on fossil fuels for its energy needs. However, the government recognizes the unsustainability of this approach and is increasingly investing in renewable energy technologies. These include solar, hydroelectric, wind, and biomass, which are crucial for enhancing electricity access and fostering energy independence. Currently, hydropower contributes about 8.3% of the country's energy supply, while the state electricity company, Energie Bedrijven Suriname (EBS), largely supplies energy through fossil fuels.
Suriname's rich natural resources offer significant potential for renewable energy development, with an estimated hydropower capacity of 2,590 megawatts and promising prospects for solar and wind energy. The government has initiated various projects, such as the Suriname Village Microgrid Photovoltaic Project, aimed at delivering reliable solar energy to remote communities that previously experienced limited electricity access. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to diversify energy sources and improve energy efficiency while addressing environmental concerns. As Suriname continues to explore and develop its renewable energy potential, it aims to create a more sustainable and self-sufficient energy landscape.
Subject Terms
Suriname and renewable energy technologies
Official Name: Republic of Suriname.
Summary: The Republic of Suriname relies on fossil fuels for most of its energy.
Although Suriname depends on development and investment in oil exploration in the near term, the government recognizes that fossil fuels are ultimately unaffordable and unsustainable. Renewable energy technologies—including solar, hydroelectric, wind, and biomass—are increasing access to electricity and boosting energy independence.
Production and Delivery
Suriname has a rich supply of natural energy resources, including oil, forests, and hydropower. Oil accounted for 7 percent of the country’s exports in 2007, following gold and aluminum.
In 2021, Suriname was generating about 8.3 percent of its energy through hydropower, with remaining needs largely being met by fossil fuels. The state electricity company of Suriname, the Energie Bedrijven Suriname (EBS), is the main energy supplier and main consumer of fossil fuels. Biomass, mostly in the form of wood, is used for cooking purposes in rural areas at the rate of approximately 30 tons per year.
The Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for development and execution of energy policy. Other departments, such as the Ministry of Labor, Technological Development and Environment, the Ministry of Local Government and Decentralization, and the Ministry of Regional Development, also have a stake in energy development and expansion.
The country’s hydroelectric power station is located at Afobaka and owned and operated by Suralco, the Suriname Aluminum Company. The station supplies mostly industrial needs, generating 189 megawatts. Suralco also owns and operates an oil-fired turbine plant that generates 47 megawatts. In addition to hydroelectric production, the State Electricity Company operates a diesel generator power plant (45 megawatts), and Staatsolie, the government-owned oil company, runs a second diesel generator plant with a capacity of 14 megawatts. The Overseas Gas and Electric Company supplies gas and electricity to the capital and largest city of Suriname, Paramaribo. Suriname’s Ministry of Local Government and Decentralization is responsible for providing power to the rest of the country.
Oil exploration and development, particularly in western Suriname, has increased substantially since the 1992 completion of the 37-mile-long pipeline between the oil fields and distribution facilities. This project was completed by Staatsolie. Staatsolie produced 6 million barrels of oil in 2008, a substantial increase over 2007. The country also has benefited from record-high prices for oil over the past few years.
According to the US State Department, the oil sector is likely to have the most rapid and near-future expansion based on a 2000 study that estimated 15 billion barrels of oil in the Guyana Plateau. Staatsolie is by law the only company with the rights to exploit the oil sector, and must grant production-sharing agreement to other companies interested in accessing the market. The company has invested $60 million in an exploration program along the coastal areas of the country to increase reserves by 64 million barrels in the short term as well as expand to provision of premium diesel and gasoline. In addition, a number of regional and international companies have been bidding on research to conduct three-dimensional analysis of areas with potential reserves, and offshore exploration agreements were signed with Staatsolie in 1994. Further energy exploration and development are essential for the country’s development, as the shortage of affordable energies has limited expansion of the industrial sector, many of whose operations are run by diesel-powered generators. Per capita demand is also increasing, with an expected growth of 8 percent per year given population growth, cars, and electronics in households (such as computers, lighting, and air-conditioning). The ability of the country to attract additional foreign investment for increasing efficiency in infrastructure and identifying additional energy sources will depend on responsible fiscal policies, liberalizing markets, and promoting competition.
Renewable Energy Potential
Suriname’s climate and natural resources provide potential for renewable energy technology development, such as photovoltaic, hydropower expansion, wind energy, and biomass. Hydropower potential is estimated at 2,590 megawatts; average radiation for solar generation is 1,635 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year. Wind potential is determined by the trade wind regimes. Through part of the year, Suriname receives an average velocity of 16 feet (5 meters) per second at 32 feet (10 meters) above sea level. Wind energy has not yet been exploited, but a number of feasibility studies have been initiated and development is likely in the near future.
The government has identified potential for peat (partially decayed organic matter) as an energy source, especially for cooking in rural areas. Estimated peat potential is 18,650,000 tons of oil equivalent (350,000 of which is estimated to be economically recoverable), which could provide between 1,000 and 12,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity. The government recognizes the need for diversification and energy efficiency in all sectors of economic activity and understands that a shift to renewables will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Suriname had embarked on programs to deliver uninterrupted solar energy to remote communities by installing microgrids. People living in rural areas previously had electricity for just a few hours a day. The Suriname Village Microgrid Photovoltaic Project began in 2019, when the government contracted with Power Construction Corporation of China to design and build remote microgrid projects. The first phase, serving two villages and completed in 2020, included 650 kW of solar photovoltaics and 2.6 MWh of energy storage. Phase two planned five additional microgrids with a combined generation capacity of 5,314 MWh that would provide electricity to people living in thirty-four villages in the forest along the Suriname River. The first site in the second phase was completed in 2024.
Bibliography
Encyclopedia of the Nations. “Suriname: Energy and Power.” www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Suriname-ENERGY-AND-POWER.html.
Hitchens, Kathy. "Remote Villages in Suriname Forest Get 24-Hour Power with New Microgrid." Microgrid Knowledge, 13 June 2024, www.microgridknowledge.com/remote-microgrids/article/55088227/remote-villages-in-suriname-forest-get-24-hour-power-with-new-microgrid. Accessed 9 Aug. 2024.
"Suriname." The World Factbook, 7 Aug. 2024, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/suriname/. Accessed 9 Aug. 2024.
US Department of State. “Background Note: Suriname.” www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1893.htm.
"Suriname." US Energy Information Administration, 2023, www.eia.gov/international/overview/country/SUR. Accessed 9 Aug. 2024.