Photo: thecommonwealth.org
In the Pacific, the Solomon Islands has launched a roadmap towards meeting 100 percent energy generation from renewable resources by the year 2030. In the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda has the same ambitious goal, while Mauritius is targeting a significant 60 percent of the country’s energy mix.
And yet, despite the significant political will and abundant natural resources available, small island nations still struggle to unlock much of the potential of renewable energy to transform their societies. Resources such as solar, wind, geothermal and marine energy remain largely untapped, even with rapidly falling production costs which have made renewable energy more affordable and competitive than diesel-based sources.
SIDS continue to rely heavily on petroleum products, and many still have low to insignificant renewables use in their energy mix. The reasons for this are many and complex, mostly related to the inherent challenges linked to small islands’ geography, size, and economic realities. Nonetheless, they are not insurmountable, and the Commonwealth is committed to walking in step with island nations and supporting them as they seek to secure a more sustainable future.