安提瓜和巴布达岛可再生能源评估（英文版）_48页-2mb

Renewables Readiness Assessment: Antigua and Barbuda

Core Content

Antigua and Barbuda is a small island nation in the Caribbean with a population of approximately 90,000 and a GDP per capita of USD 13,432 in 2014. The country is highly dependent on imported fossil fuels for its energy supply, which contributes to volatile and high energy costs. The electricity sector is dominated by the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), a government-owned entity that supplies energy to the population and manages the desalination of seawater for drinking water.

The country has significant renewable energy potential, particularly in solar, wind, and bioenergy. The government has already made progress in renewable energy development, with the 2015 renewable energy target exceeded and the 2030 target expected to be met by 2016. Renewables currently account for around 1.6% of peak electricity demand, but there is potential to increase this significantly.

Main Points

1. Country Overview

• Population: ~90,000, with most concentrated in St. Johns.
• Economy: Tourism is the backbone, contributing ~80% of GDP, ~70% of employment, and ~85% of foreign exchange earnings.
• Energy dependency: Relies entirely on imported fossil fuels, with over one-third of all imports related to energy.
• GDP per capita: USD 13,432 (2014), placing it in the upper-middle-income category.
• Electricity use per capita: 3,723 kWh (2014).
• Peak electricity demand: 51 MW, projected to increase to 55 MW by 2025.
• Electricity retail price: USD 0.37/kWh (December 2015), down from USD 0.44/kWh in 2013 due to falling oil prices.

2. Renewable Energy Resources

• Solar: High potential throughout the year.
• Wind: Good potential, especially in the south-western part of Antigua.
• Bioenergy: Potential for utility-scale application using fuelwood, charcoal, and biodiesel.
• Ocean energy: Potential for wave and tidal energy.
• Biomass: Municipal solid waste (MSW) could be used for energy production.

3. Energy Sector Overview

• Energy market structure: Three tiers: importers, distributors/generators, and end-users.
• Energy sources: Fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel, HFO, LPG, kerosene) are the main sources.
• Desalination: Critical for water supply, with 60% of Antigua’s public water coming from desalination. During droughts, desalination can account for up to 90% of water supply.
• Electricity supply: APUA owns and operates the grid and has surplus generation capacity of 30 MW, equivalent to 60% of peak demand.

4. Renewable Energy Deployment

• National Energy Policy (NEP 2011): Outlines the country's sustainability vision and sets renewable energy targets.
• Renewable Energy Act 2015: Provides the legal framework for renewable energy development.
• Renewable Energy Targets:
  • 2015 target exceeded.
  • 2030 target expected to be achieved by 2016.
• Renewable energy projects:
  • A 10 MW solar PV project was initiated.
  • A planned 8 MW off-grid wind and solar project is under consideration.
• Renewable capacity potential:
  • IRENA estimates that the grid can integrate up to 37.5 MW of solar PV, which is 75% of peak demand.
  • A new national power purchase agreement (PPA) is expected in 2019 to further support renewable integration.

5. Key Challenges and Recommendations

• Challenges:
  • Financial constraints in renewable energy development.
  • Technological barriers in grid integration and energy storage.
  • Environmental concerns related to desalination and energy use.
  • Policy and regulatory gaps that hinder renewable adoption.
• Recommendations:
  1. Develop an action plan to scale up renewable energy deployment, considering 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. Launch a public awareness and engagement programme to educate the population on the benefits and costs of renewable energy and encourage sustainable behavior.
  4. Formulate a national strategy for bioenergy and waste management, exploring the commercial potential of bioenergy resources.
  5. Establish an independent energy commission to regulate the electricity supply market, including pricing, quality of service, and grid interconnection.
  6. Support renewable energy penetration through standardised and technology-specific PPAs to create a level playing field for investors.

Key Information

• Renewable energy potential: Solar, wind, and bioenergy resources are abundant.
• Government commitment: The government has actively promoted renewable energy development since 2013, including the passage of the Renewable Energy Act and the removal of charges on renewable technologies.
• IRENA support: IRENA has collaborated with the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy (MTEDIE) and other stakeholders to develop the RRA.
• Financial support: Millions of dollars in soft loans have been negotiated for renewable projects through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.
• Desalination: A major energy consumer, with significant electricity demand for water production.
• Tariff structure:
  • Residential customers face a minimum charge, consumption charges in two blocks, and a fuel variation charge.
  • Commercial customers have a more complex tariff structure with three consumption blocks and a demand charge.
• Future goals: The RRA aims to achieve 75% grid-based renewable capacity by 2025.

Conclusion

The Renewables Readiness Assessment for Antigua and Barbuda highlights the country's potential to significantly increase its renewable energy share, particularly in solar and wind. With a supportive policy framework, stakeholder engagement, and financial incentives, the country is well-positioned to transition to a more sustainable and secure energy system. The recommendations provide a roadmap for achieving this goal, focusing on policy reform, public engagement, and institutional development.