Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) graphics.
SABA/ST. EUSTATIUS–The Caribbean Netherlands produced 136 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in 2018. Of this amount, 45.1 million kWh came from renewable sources, which is equal to 33 per cent of the total electricity production in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.
Production levels on the three islands were just as high as in 2017, but a larger part was produced sustainably, it emerged from new figures on the generation of electricity production in the Caribbean Netherlands, provided by the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS).
The total electricity production in Statia stood at 14.3 million kWh in 2018, of which 6.5 million kWh (45.5 per cent) was renewable and produced by solar panels.
The generation of solar power started in 2016 with the installation of a solar park, which was expanded significantly in 2017. In the daytime, the solar park meets the full electricity demand, while in the evening and at night diesel generators take over electricity production. In case of unfavourable weather conditions during the day, such as during overcast weather, the system automatically switches to the diesel generators which take over the production.
Total electricity production in Saba stood at 9.0 million kWh in 2018, of which 1.5 million kWh was generated sustainably, or 16.7 per cent of total production.
Saba boasts two solar parks. The first one started operating in February 2018 with a production capacity of 1.14 megawatt-peak (MWp). In February 2019, the second solar park became operational with a capacity of one MWp. With the second solar park, Saba can almost double renewable electricity production over 2019.
Electricity production in Bonaire amounted to 113.1 million kWh in 2018 and 37.1 million kWh (32.8 per cent) was generated sustainably. Almost all renewable electricity (99 per cent) comes from wind turbines, while one per cent is generated by solar panels.
The share of renewable electricity in Bonaire was at 42.3 per cent in 2014, but it seems to have stabilised around 30 per cent since then, the CBS stated.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/91834-one-third-of-electricity-production-in-caribbean-netherlands-sustainable
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