Progress Data

The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are forging an unwavering path towards a sustainable future, marked by a steadfast commitment to amplify the deployment of renewable energy (RE) technologies as a cornerstone of their dynamic energy transition efforts. This is reflected in the latest IRENA statistics highlighting that solar energy accounts for 42% of the total installed RE capacity in SIDS, while hydropower remains a significant player but reflected a slight increase of 23% equating to 1.8 GW in 2022. Bioenergy has grown significantly by 22% equating to 1.7 GW, re-affirming its prevalent use in the SIDS energy mix and widely available resources in the island economies. Geothermal and ocean energy technologies have made modest contributions, accounting for 1% (0.07 GW), which underscores the need for applicable research and development (R&D) and tailor-made solutions for emerging just and equitable energy transition solutions. While their impact has been small, these technologies represent potential areas for growth and innovation for SIDS in the renewable energy landscape.

Within the period of 2014 to 2022, the Regional Profiles provide further insights into the distinctive trends observed in each SIDS region. Specifically, the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIS) region have embraced solar energy technologies, constituting over 61% of the total RE installed capacity. In the Caribbean region, a balanced adoption of solar photovoltaics (PV), bioenergy, and hydropower is evident, comprising 40%, 23%, and 22%, respectively, of the total RE installed capacity. Notably, the Pacific region showcases a predominant uptake of solar PV, accounting for 61% of the total RE installed capacity of 1.1 GW.