The Caribbean has many alternative and sustainable sources of energy.
The Caribbean's energy needs are heavily reliant on oil. That oil must be imported from overseas and with the skyrocketing increases in the price of crude oil, that translates to higher energy costs for Caribbean residents. In fact, the region has some of the highest electricity tariffs in the world. In an effort to address this issue while taking advantage of more sustainable and eco-friendly options, many Caribbean islands have resorted to alternative energy sources.
Solar Energy
With abundant sunshine all year round, it is only normal that many Caribbean islands have taken advantage of solar energy. There are, however, no solar power plants in the region. Some residents of Jamaica, for example, opt to install solar panels on their homes to reduce their energy costs and dependency on the country's sometimes erratic electricity provider. Solar water heaters are widely used in Barbados. In the Commonwealth of Dominica, which has the highest electricity rates in the eastern Caribbean, the government gives tax incentives to those who purchase and install solar energy panels. The country's capital, Roseau, also has solar-powered streetlights on main streets.
Geothermal Energy
The islands of the Caribbean are the result of volcanic eruptions that pushed land up from the sea floor. In fact, the islands of Saba, Dominica, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, St. Vincent and Martinique all form a volcanic arc in a part of the region known as the Lesser Antilles. Many of these islands have geothermal power within active and dormant volcanoes or offshore that can be tapped to generate affordable energy. Guadeloupe has a geothermal plant. The nations of Nevis, St. Lucia and Dominica have geothermal plants scheduled for construction with Dominica planning to export geothermal energy to neighboring islands.
Wind Energy
Wind power is another energy source for many Caribbean islands. The surrounding oceans and mountains create wind flows that are powerful enough to generate electricity for homes and businesses. The Lesser Antilles, mentioned above, is also known as the Windward Islands, connoting the amount of wind the area receives. St. Vincent, for instance, has average winds of 16.77 miles per hour, and St. Lucia has average winds of about 18 miles per hour. But it was only in 2007 that the Caribbean's first windmill was installed in Grenada. Small, privately-owned windmills dot the horizon on many other islands, where homeowners have installed them as a backup energy sources.
Hydroelectric Energy
Because they are surrounded by water, the Caribbean islands have the potential to generate hydroelectric power. Dominica generates 40 percent of its electricity from hydroelectric sources. Similarly, Suriname, Jamaica and St. Vincent also generate hydroelectric power, but on a smaller scale.
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