The Uses and

Importance of
Energy in the
Caribbean.

By: Marika Caesar. 4G2

Types of Energy Used in the Caribbean.

– Solar Energy
– Wind Energy
– Hydroelectric Energy
– Geothermal Energy
– Nuclear Energy
 Solar Energy

– In the Caribbean, the Sun has been used for drying clothes and food for
thousands of years, but only recently have we been able to use it for generating
power with the help of solar panels.
– Solar panels collect solar radiation from the sun and actively convert that
energy to electricity.
– Solar energy is used primarily for hot water heating in homes in the region,
mainly in Barbados and Saint Lucia.
 Wind Energy

– Wind energy is an attractive, clean, indigenous energy source for those

Caribbean countries that have the required wind system.
– Wind speeds are greatest in the eastern Caribbean; they are lower in the
western Caribbean and the Bahamas.
– Wind turbines for grid electricity generation are presently operational in four
Caribbean islands: Cuba, Curacao, Guadeloupe and Jamaica.
 Hydroelectric Energy

– Hydro Power uses the energy stored in water to generate electricity or move
devices such as mill stones directly.
– Ever since hydro power is known to be the most efficient, flexible and reliable
form of renewable energy.
– In the Caribbean several countries already generate electricity with hydro
power plants, such as Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica,
Suriname and others.
 Geothermal Energy

– Geothermal power is generated by radioactive decay of minerals in the inner of

the earth.
– Most eastern and northern Caribbean islands are located along a tectonic fault
zone between the Caribbean plate and the North American plate.
– These islands have geothermal potential and many islands such as Nevis,
Dominica, Guadeloupe, St. Vincent etc. are keen on exploring their geothermal
resources.
 Nuclear Energy

– Nuclear energy is a non-carbohydrate energy that does not produce carbon

dioxide when generated. It includes hydropower and nuclear, geothermal, and
solar power, among others.
– Jamaica is the only country in the Caribbean to use nuclear energy as of 2013.
 How can Energy be used more Efficiently and
Economically in the Caribbean?

– There are many ways in which energy can be used more efficiently and economically. Yet,
not much progress has been made in the use of renewable energy in the Caribbean
countries. The use of oil and gas continues to damage the environment.
– There are wind energy turbines, solar panels, hydroelectric plants and geothermal plants
that generate electricity, but none near the Caribbean’s potential.
– Small wind turbines can be an efficient method used to pump water for sprinkler or drip
irrigation systems for livestock use.
– Solar energy in various forms can take advantage of the intense tropical sunshine received
by the islands of the Caribbean. They can be used to warm buildings, heat water, generate
electricity, dry crops or destroy dangerous waste.