WILLEMSTAD – Aqualectra, Curaçao’s utility company, plans to generate an average of 70% of the island’s electricity from renewable sources by 2027—a significant jump from the 30% recorded in 2023. Chief Technical Officer Rudolf Garmes believes this ambitious goal is achievable, though not without challenges.
During a presentation at the University of Curaçao, Garmes highlighted that the island’s energy demand is rising faster than previously anticipated. The rapid growth of tourism, increasing temperatures, and economic developments are putting additional strain on the power grid. In 2024 alone, electricity demand surged by 9% compared to the previous year.
Infrastructure Struggles to Meet Demand
One of the key challenges is the seasonal fluctuation in wind energy production. During the hottest months, lower wind speeds, combined with the limited capacity of existing power plants, make it difficult to meet peak demand. According to Garmes, the current infrastructure is often operating at full capacity, which is unsustainable in the long run. Over the past five years, Curaçao has experienced ten blackouts, underscoring the system’s vulnerabilities.
Expanding Capacity and Strengthening the Grid
To keep up with increasing demand, Aqualectra is constructing a new thermal power plant, set to become operational in early 2026. However, Garmes emphasized that expanding capacity alone is not enough. Strengthening the power grid and increasing the share of renewable energy sources are crucial to ensuring a sustainable and reliable energy future for Curaçao.