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Renewables Readiness Assessment: Antigua and Barbuda

Core Content Overview

This document presents the Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) for Antigua and Barbuda, a small island nation in the Caribbean. The assessment was conducted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, particularly the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy (MTEDIE). The goal of the RRA is to identify a pathway for the country to increase its renewable energy (RE) share in the electricity mix and to support its transition to a sustainable energy future.

Antigua and Barbuda has already made progress in renewable energy development, with its current renewable energy capacity covering 1.6% of peak electricity demand (April 2015), and the potential to integrate up to 37.5 MW of solar PV on the grid. This is equivalent to 75% of peak demand, which highlights the significant untapped potential of the country in terms of renewable energy integration.

The country has set ambitious targets for renewable energy deployment, including achieving 20% of peak electricity demand from renewables by 2016 and aiming for 75% grid-based renewables capacity by 2025. The National Energy Policy (NEP 2011) outlines the country's sustainability vision and supports these objectives.

Main Points and Key Information

Country Profile

• Population: ~90,000 (89,985)
• Land Area: 443 km²
• GDP per capita (2014): USD 13,432
• Electricity use per capita (2014): 3,723 kWh
• Peak electricity demand: 51 MW (forecast to increase to 55 MW by 2025)
• Current electricity price: USD 0.37/kWh (December 2015)
• Economic reliance: Tourism accounts for 80% of GDP, 70% of employment, and 85% of foreign exchange earnings.
• Energy mix: Relies heavily on imported fossil fuels, with petroleum products accounting for 13.7% of GDP in 2013.

Energy Sector Overview

• The energy sector is governed by the 2015 Renewable Energy Act, 1973 Public Utilities Act, and related amendments.
• Electricity supply is managed by Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), a government-owned, vertically integrated corporation.
• APUA owns in-house generating capacity and purchases 80–90% of its electricity from a local independent power producer (IPP) via a formal power purchase agreement (PPA).
• The country has surplus capacity of 30 MW, or 60% of peak demand, due to overcapacity in generation.

Renewable Energy Resources

• Solar: High potential, with global horizontal irradiance suitable for large-scale deployment.
• Wind: Strong and consistent wind speeds throughout the year.
• Bioenergy: Potential exists through fuelwood, charcoal, and biodiesel, with the Department of Environment exploring project concepts for funding.
• Ocean: Desalination is a key component of water supply, currently using seawater desalination on Antigua and brackish water desalination on Barbuda.

Renewable Energy Deployment

• Renewable Energy Act (2015): A key legislative framework to support RE development.
• Tariff and policy structure: The current electricity tariff includes residential and commercial rates, with variable fuel charges allowing for cost adjustments based on fuel prices.
• Renewable Energy Support Schemes: Includes waivers on import duties and taxes for RE technologies, as outlined in Annex A.
• Government Commitments: Includes INDC targets under the Paris Agreement, with the Prime Minister signing the instrument of ratification on 22 September 2015.

Key Challenges and Recommendations

The RRA outlines six key recommendations to accelerate renewable energy deployment:

1. Develop an action plan to scale up RE deployment, incorporating technical, economic, financial, policy, regulatory, institutional, social, and environmental factors.
2. Review and rationalise the policy and tariff structure for grid interconnection with distributed renewables.
3. Implement a public awareness and engagement programme to educate the public on the benefits and costs of RE and promote energy efficiency.
4. Create a national strategy for bioenergy and waste management, considering both environmental and economic aspects.
5. Establish an independent energy commission to regulate the electricity supply market, including pricing, quality, and grid interconnection.
6. Standardise renewable energy PPAs to provide a fair and transparent framework for investors, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring equitable risk allocation.

Conclusion

The RRA highlights Antigua and Barbuda's strong potential for renewable energy development, particularly in solar and wind. It also identifies policy, financial, and institutional barriers that need to be addressed to achieve the country’s renewable energy targets. The recommendations aim to create a roadmap for sustainable energy transition, with the ultimate goal of reaching 75% grid-based renewables capacity by 2025.

The country has already made notable progress, including the implementation of a Renewable Energy Act, the initiation of a 10 MW solar PV project, and the negotiation of soft loans from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. Continued support from IRENA and other international partners is expected to be instrumental in achieving these goals.