Grenada’s energy sector is mainly reliable on the importation of traditional fossil fuels which account for over 98% of the national energy mix and comprise of diesel, gasoline, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas. These imports mainly come from Venezuela and are used principally for electricity generation, cooking and transportation.
Since 2010, carbon dioxide emissions in Grenada have increased by 87% with electricity production contributing to an average of 48% of these emissions between 2010 and 2014. Since 2014, gross generation by GRENLEC, the sole provider of electricity, has steadily increased up to 222.7 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2020.
Source: Grenlec.com
Major Players in the Energy Sector
| Government Authority |
Energy Division - Ministry with responsibility for Public Utilities & Energy Services Provided: price calculations of petroleum products, data monitoring on energy sector, liaison with national and regional organisations |
| Utility |
Grenada Electricity Services Ltd. (GRENLEC) Sole provider of electricity in Grenada. Investor-owned by WRB Enterprises (50%), employees (4.5%), the Government of Grenada and the National Insurance Scheme (21%) and other investors (24.5%) |
| Regulator |
Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) Established by the PURC Act No. 20 of 2016 with the electricity sector coming under its purview. |
Electricity/Energy Sector Overview
| Average Electricity Prices |
For Domestic Customers: Fuel charge = $0.32 per kWh Non-fuel charge = $0.41 per unit |
| Total Installed Capacity | 52.1 MW |
| Peak Demand | 31.9 MW |
| Gross Electricity Generation | 222.7 GWh (mostly from diesel) |
| RE Share |
Total RE Generation = 4.2 GWh RE Penetration 1.96% |
Source: GRENLEC Annual Report 2020. Figures given are for the year 2020
Although the amount of Grenada’s greenhouse gas emissions is negligible compared global emissions, Grenada is committed to reduce its emission of greenhouse gases by 40% of 2010 levels by 2030 according to its Nationally Determined Contributions. Grenada’s National Energy Policy also outlines Grenada’s goal to increase the percentage of domestic energy usage derived from renewable energy sources and reduce the national rate of consumption while increasing economic growth.
To achieve these goals, Grenada has already begun to open avenues to renewable energy and energy efficiency through the following:
- The Electricity Supply Act 19 of 2016 encourages the use of renewable energy in supplying electricity.
- Grenada has begun to access multilateral and bilateral support through regional and national energy projects.
- Various renewable energy projects funded by GRENLEC involving installation of solar panels at public and private facilities.