Table 1 Summary table of SIDS energy issues
High | Low | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
Fossil fuel dependence | ✔ | Most electricity is sourced from diesel-powered generators and transport is solely powered by fossil fuels | |
Biofuel use | ✔ | Limited capacity and involves significant risks for smaller SIDS as biofuel production could raise the price of energy crops, making them more vulnerable as import dependent countries | |
Access to electricity | ✔ | Increasing access for rural areas has been a significant development by SIDS over the last 20 years | |
Energy costs | ✔ | Pacific Islands spend on average up to 20 % of their household incomes on energy needs | |
Total energy supplied by modern renewables | ✔ | With some exceptions in larger island with hydroelectric capacity | |
Electrical transmission losses | ✔ | Aging infrastructure and maintenance are the predominant issues here | |
Potential for renewables | ✔ | Wind, solar, tidal, and geothermal have huge potential for SIDS | |
Investment and planning in renewables | ✔ | Most SIDS have policy objectives and are seeking investments to expand renewable energy and diversify supplies |