Energy profile: Grenada
Fuel mix (fossil fuels vs renewables)
Grenada derives almost all of its energy from imported hydrocarbons. In 2020, non-renewables accounted for roughly 98% of installed capacity and electricity generation, with solar energy making up the difference.[1] The government of Grenada has expressed concerns about climate change, but continues to rely on diesel and refined petroleum products, despite having ample sunshine and active volcanoes that could be utilized for renewable energy.[2] The government aims for at least 30% of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2030.[2]
Greenhouse gas emissions targets
Grenada's nationally determined contribution target calls for a 30% reduction in emissions from electricity generation by 2025; one third of the reduction is to be realized by switching to renewable sources, while the rest will come from energy efficiency measures.[3][4] Grenada's 2020 update to the NDC pledges a 40% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030.[5]
Government energy agencies & other key players
National energy ministry
The MOID (Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Public Utilities, Energy, Transport, and Implementation) is responsible for energy programs in Grenada.
Permitting & regulatory agencies
MOID handles the majority of permitting related to energy projects. Electricity self generators must apply for a permit through the PURC (Public Utilities Regulatory Commission), Grenada's regulatory authority for energy.
Electric utilities
GRENLEC (Grenada Electricity Services) is the formerly privatized, now nationalized, electrical company of Grenada.
National oil company
Grenada does not have a national oil company.[6]
Private energy companies
The Global Petroleum Group and an undisclosed Chinese company were heading oil exploration projects in Grenada as of October 2018.[6]
Energy sector employment data
As of early 2021, approximately 235 employees worked for Grenlec on electrical generation, transmission, and distribution.[7]
Electricity usage
Installed capacity
As of 2020, Grenada had an installed electrical generating capacity of 53 MW, supplied almost entirely by fossil fuels.[1]
Production
In 2020, Grenada produced 223 GWh of electricity, relying mainly on fossil fuels (98.12%), with a small contribution from solar energy (1.88%).[1]
Demand
In 2018, peak demand was 33.2 MW.[4]
Consumption
In 2016, Grenada consumed 185.1 million kWh of electricity.[8] As of 2018, 95.3% of the population had access to electricity.[8]
Coal in Grenada
Grenada does not produce, consume, import, export, or have reserves of coal.
Oil & Natural Gas in Grenada
Domestic Production
Grenada has no proven reserves of crude oil or natural gas, and does not produce refined petroleum products. During 2016, Grenada consumed 2,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per day, all of which were imported through the St. George's port.[8] Grenada has a reliance on imported diesel[2], primarily from the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.[9]
Companies began to search for offshore oil and gas in Grenada's waters in 2017 following the passage of a Hydrocarbon Exploration Incentive Bill.[10][11] The area of focus is where the maritime boundaries of Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago meet.[12] During a 2018 exploration by Global Petroleum Group, indications of natural gas were found.[11]
Renewable Energy in Grenada
Efforts to expand renewable energy in Grenada were long stifled by the privately owned electricity company Grenlec, whose restrictive and punitive policies discouraged the adoption of solar panels, leaving the country well shy of its stated goal of achieving 20% renewable electricity by 2020.[2] By the end of 2019, solar energy only accounted for 1 MW, or 2.06% of installed capacity.[1] Renewables capacity more than tripled to reach 3.6 MW in 2020[13], with 2.45 MW coming from solar and a small amount from wind.[4] The government, having recently assumed ownership of Grenlec, plans to dramatically increase the role of renewables over the coming decade, with a target of 30% to 100% renewable electricity by 2030.[2] According to estimates from the United States' National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Grenada could eventually generate up to 20 MW from wind, 25 to 50 MW from solar, and more than 50 MW from geothermal energy.[14]
Grenada's Sustainable Development Plan 2020-2035 details the government's plan of action, in conjunction with the Strategic Program for Climate Resilience.
Environmental & social impacts of energy in Grenada
Grenada's National Disaster Management Agency is responsible for helping mitigate the damage already impacting the country from climate change and oil exploration activities.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Panorama Energético de América Latina y el Caribe 2021". OLADE. November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Why Grenada had to nationalise its electricity for $60m to pursue renewables". Climate Home News. 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ↑ "Grenada: Intended Nationally Determined Contribution" (PDF). Government of Grenada. April 22, 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Grenada Energy Snapshot" (PDF). Energy Transitions Initiative. September 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Second Nationally Determined Contribution" (PDF). Government of Grenada. November 30, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Foreign companies team up to explore for oil in Grenada". OilNow. 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ↑ "Grenada Electricity Services Ltd. (Grenlec)". Linkedin. May 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Grenada - The World Factbook". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ↑ "Grenada Trade". World Integrated Trade Solution. 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Grenada gunning for commercial oil & gas". OilNow. 2017-10-28. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Grenada: First Discovery - INEXS". INEXS. 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ↑ "StackPath". www.offshore-mag.com. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ↑ "Grenlec Year In Review 2020". GRENLEC. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ↑ "Energy Snapshot: Grenada" (PDF). National Renewable Energy Laboratory. March 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
