{"id":125066,"date":"2021-03-09T12:45:44","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T16:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=125066"},"modified":"2021-03-09T13:47:58","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T17:47:58","slug":"renewables-can-lower-energy-costs-and-boost-energy-security-in-antigua-and-barbuda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/renewables-can-lower-energy-costs-and-boost-energy-security-in-antigua-and-barbuda\/","title":{"rendered":"Renewables Can Lower Electricity Costs by 30% in Antigua and Barbuda"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 9 March 2021<\/strong>\u00a0– Antigua and Barbuda can significantly reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels while driving down electricity costs for citizens, by meeting its energy needs exclusively through indigenous renewable energy resources, green hydrogen and full electric vehicle (EV) adoption.<\/p>

\"\"<\/div>\n

Working closely with the government of Antigua and Barbuda, IRENA\u2019s\u00a0Antigua and Barbuda: Renewable Energy Roadmap<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0report suggests the country\u2019s least cost option for zero-carbon energy system would include 90 per cent renewable power generation from solar and wind. Additionally, the country can achieve 100 per cent renewables by integrating flexibility measures including green hydrogen and a fully electrified transport system.<\/p>\n

The recommended mix would reduce Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) from around 15 cents per kilowatt hour today, to nine cents per kilowatt hour, significantly benefiting citizens and businesses in the country while meeting climate and development goals.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/div>\n

Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment, the Honourable Sir Molwyn M. Joseph said: \u201cRising energy costs have impacted communities, households and businesses. The nation\u2019s vulnerability and exposure to risk necessitates the transformation of its energy system to better adapt to the impacts of climate change.”<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

\u201cThe Government has made a written commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050,\u201d continued Minister Joseph, \u201cwith the aim to not only contribute to emission reductions but more importantly to develop a robust national energy system that is based on the utilisation of abundant natural energy resources such as solar and wind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Antigua and Barbuda currently sources close to 97 per cent of its energy needs through fossil fuel imports, however the government has proposed an ambitious renewable energy goal to increase the share of renewables to 100 per cent by 2030 for the revision process of the Nationally Determined Contributions. Under the current trajectory, renewables in the power sector would grow from just over three per cent now to around nine per cent in the coming years, far below national targets.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n