Worldwatch Report Describes Opportunities for a Bright Energy Future in Haiti

Worldwatch Report Describes Opportunities for a Bright Energy Future in Haiti

EMBARGOED: Global Launch Set for 24 November, 2014

Short Description

Haiti’s electricity sector stands at a crossroads. Haiti depends on imported petroleum for 85% of its electricity generation, diverting 7 percentof its annual gross domestic product to importing fuel. Still, only 25% of the Haitian population has regular access to electricity, bringing barriers to advances in economic opportunity, health, education, and social equality. According to the Worldwatch Institute’s new Haiti Sustainable Energy Roadmap report, tremendous opportunities and actionable solutions exist to build an electricity system that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainableusing the country’s tremendous renewable energy and energy efficiency potentials (

This publication and related documents are available for free download at .

Longer Description

Haiti’s electricity sector stands at a crossroads. Haiti depends on imported petroleum for 85% of its electricity generation, diverting 7 percent of its annual gross domestic product to importing fuel. Still, only 25% of the Haitian population has regular access to electricity, bringing barriers to advances in economic opportunity, health, education, and social equality. According to the Worldwatch Institute’s new Haiti Sustainable Energy Roadmap report, tremendous opportunities and actionable solutions exist to build an electricity system that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable (

Released today, the Roadmap is the culmination of years of intensive investigation and analysis into the potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment in Haiti. For example, only 6 square kilometers of solar photovoltaic panels would be able to generate as much electricity as Haiti produced in 2011. The study compares the full economic and societal costs of Haiti’s current electricity sector and its business as usual development to that of alternative pathways and concludes that Haiti will benefit immensely if it relies more heavily on renewable energy sources and less on fossil fuels.

The highest renewable energy scenario shows savings of up to USD 5.84 billion by 2030. Up to 1,870 new jobs would be created, electricity access expanded, local air and water pollution reduced, and health and education improved. Ambitious policies towards these goals would position the country—which already suffers from the consequences of extreme weather conditions—asa leader in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Based on analysis of Haiti’s business environment, the Roadmap suggests concrete regulatory, policy and institutional changes that will be necessary to attract new investments in clean energy solutions. This publication available for free download at .

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Gaelle Gourmelon, , +1 202 745-8092 x510

Rise and Shine: Haiti’s Bright Energy Future

New Worldwatch Institute Roadmap outlines challenges and opportunities

for a sustainable energy future in Haiti

Washington, DC— Haiti’s electricity sector stands at a crossroads. Haiti depends on imported petroleum for 85% of its electricity generation, diverting 7 percent of its annual gross domestic product to importing fuel. Still, only 25% of the Haitian population has regular access to electricity, bringing barriers to advances in economic opportunity, health, education, and social equality. Yet, according to the Worldwatch Institute’s new Haiti Sustainable Energy Roadmap report, tremendous opportunities and actionable solutions exist to build an electricity system that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable, using the tremendous renewable energy and energy efficiency potentials ofthe country (

“With their soft white sand and pristine ocean waters, their swaying coconut trees and bright blue skies, small islands in the Caribbean are often compared to paradise. Yet they all struggle to attain the ideal supply of energy to serve their population,” writes René Jean-Jumeau, Ph.D., former Minister Delegate for Energy Security in Haiti. “Availability of energy is…an absolute necessity for small developing countries, as a driver for their growth and contributor to social well-being.”

Limited access to electricity stands as a key barrier to advances in human health, economic development, gender equality, social opportunity, and education.

“There is hardly a place on Earth where the advantages of a distributed electricity system powered by domestic renewable sources are as evident as in Haiti,” writes Alexander Ochs, Climate and Energy Director at the Worldwatch Institute and director of the study. “In the absence of a national grid system, Haiti has an opportunity to leapfrog 20th century energy development, modeling a pathway to electrification and resilience that harnesses the enormous domestic energy resources the country has at hand and uses them locally and efficiently.”

To create the Sustainable Energy Roadmap for Haiti, Worldwatch Institute partnered with the Bureau of the Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister for Energy Security to assess the interconnected technical, socioeconomic, financial, and policy potentials of building a sustainable energy system.

Improving energy efficiency. Haiti’s high electricity costs, significant losses during transmission and distribution, and large suppressed demand mean that energy efficiency improvements could result in significant cost savings for the country. In 2011, two-thirds of total electricity production was lost to technical inefficiencies or consumed by Haitians unable or unwilling to pay the utility, posing immense challenges to the sector’s financial viability. Improving the efficiency of power generation and reducing grid losses—both of which fall far short of international standards—are crucial first steps.Reforming tariff structure, improving metering, and implementing end-use efficiency improvements, can achieve further significant additional energy savings.

Harnessing renewable energy resources. Renewable technologies available today could generate more electricity than the country currently consumes. Haiti’s solar resources are particularly strong. Only 6 square kilometers of solar photovoltaic panels would be able to generate as much electricity as Haiti produced in 2011. Just a few medium-sized wind farms near Lac Azuei could generate as much electricity as Haiti currently produces. Developing a diverse portfolio of solar, wind, small hydro and modern biomass would create a more flexible and resilient power system.

Building reliable electricity grids. Haiti has no nationwide electricity grid, creating both challenges and opportunities. A renewable electricity system drawing on both existing grids and distributed systems will be more resilient to earthquakes as well as to climate change impacts, including increased intensity of tropical storms—to which Haiti is particularly vulnerable—and extended periods of drought.

Socioeconomic impacts. Building an electricity system powered almost exclusively by renewables would have broad social benefits. It would decrease the average cost of electricity from 25 to 10 U.S. cents. The highest renewable energy scenario shows savings of up to USD 5.84 billion by 2030. It would create up to 1,870 jobs, reduce local pollution, improve health and education through expanded electricity access, and position the country as a leader in climate change mitigation and adaptation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector by as much as 22.2 million tons of CO2-equivalent by 2030.

Financing a sustainable energy system. While an efficient, renewable-based energy system promises enormous benefits far outweighing the costs, substantial investments upfront are needed to install it. Haiti could reach 90% renewable electricity generation by 2030 with less than USD 7 billion in investment costs between 2013 and 2030. This most ambitious scenario is the most affordable one of all—more affordable, even, than business-as-usual development. However, limited national infrastructure, disputed land ownership, and a history of political instability, natural disasters, and insecurity contribute to international actors’ hesitation to invest in the country.

Creative solutions will be most successful. Micro-finance institutions can be strengthened to fit the sustainable energy sector. Creating greater economies of scale by bundling multiple renewable energy or development projects—like those related to education, health, or telecommunications—could help reduce capital costs while leveraging greater private investment. To fund clean energy projects, harnessing a portion of the USD 1 billion in remittances sent to Haiti each year could have significant impacts.

Implementing reform. Although capacity building and creative financing solutions can increase investment in sustainable energy solutions, existing barriers to achieving a complete transition to sustainable energy in Haiti can only be overcome through policy and governance reform. Haiti needs to establish a long-term vision that articulates a clear intent to develop a highly efficient and sustainable energy sector, focuses on distributed renewable generation models, and sets ambitious energy targets. It must streamline administrative barriers and implement targeted support policies to increase investment, support energy entrepreneurship, and facilitate the spread of innovative distributed energy models.

“For this and other small island nations, a roadmap for optimal use of renewable energy might just be the path to their paradise,” writes Jean-Jumeau.

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For more information: To download a free copy of the Haiti Sustainable Energy Roadmap visit or contact Gaelle Gourmelon at.

About the Worldwatch Institute: Worldwatch is an independent research organization based in Washington, D.C. that works on energy, resource, and environmental issues. Worldwatch Institute delivers the insights and ideas that empower decision makers to create an environmentally sustainable society that meets human needs. For more information, visit

TIP SHEET

Contact: Gaelle Gourmelon, , +1 202 745-8092 x510

Highlights: Haiti’s Bright Energy Future

Haiti Sustainable Energy Roadmap

Tip Sheet

Haiti’s electricity sector stands at a crossroads. Haiti depends on imported petroleum for 85% of its electricity generation.Despite diverting 7% and more of its annual gross domestic product to importing fuel,only 25% of the Haitian population has access to electricity, bringing barriers to advances in economic opportunity, health, education, and social equality. Yet, according to the Worldwatch Institute’s new Haiti Sustainable Energy Roadmap report, tremendous opportunities and actionable solutions exist to build an electricity system that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable ( Download this free publication at.

The Worldwatch Institute’s new report, Haiti Sustainable Energy Roadmap, assesses the interconnected technical, socioeconomic, financial, and policy potential of building a sustainable energy system. Here are some key findings and recommendations from the report:

Improving Energy Efficiency

Given that only 63% of Haiti’s total installed capacity is currently operational, efficiency upgrades and refurbishment projects at existing power plants can increase production and reduce energy costs in the near to medium term.

Overall, Electricité d'Haïti recovers only 22% of its generation costs, placing significant financial strain on the utility and limiting the resources available to maintain existing infrastructure.

Harnessing Renewable Energy Resources

Only 6 square kilometers of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels would be able to generate as much electricity as Haiti produced in 2011.

Just a few medium-sized wind farms near Lac Azuei to the east of Port-au-Prince could generate as much electricity as Haiti currently produces.

Building Reliable and Affordable Electricity Grids

Renewable minigrids, along with household and commercial-scale rooftop solar PV systems, can provide access while reducing power system inefficiency by avoiding grid losses.

A distributed electricity system based on renewable energy will be more resilient to earthquakes and the impacts of climate change —to which Haiti is particularly vulnerable—, including more intense tropical stormsand extended periods of drought.

Assessing the Socioeconomic Impacts of Alternative Electricity Scenarios

Renewable energy can enable Haiti to extend energy access, lower electricity prices, increase energy security, decrease the country’s trade deficit, create jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution—all at negative costs.

Building an electricity system powered almost exclusively by renewables decreases the average cost of electricity by 15 U.S. cents per kWh, from 25 to 10 U.S. cents. Our highest renewable energy scenario shows the highest costs savings by 2030, saving Haiti up to USD 5.84 billion by 2030.

Financing a Sustainable Energy System in Haiti

Our cost analyses demonstrate that Haiti could reach 90% renewable electricity generation by 2030 with less than USD 7 billion in investment costs between 2013 and 2030.

Creating greater economies of scale through bundling multiple renewable energy projects together—or combining a renewable project with related development projects in education, health, or telecommunications—can help reduce financing and capital costs while leveraging greater private investment.

Building effective institutions and implementing proven policies

Existing barriers to achieving a sustainable energy transitioncan be overcome using an effective policy framework. Key components include an ambitious, long-term strategy for energy sector development; improved institutional capacity and administrative efficiency; and a mix of well-designed and complementary concrete policies.We suggest the creation of key institutions, including an independent regulator and a Bureau of Rural Electrification, the de-monopolization of EDH and the opening of the market to other gridoperators.

The government should improve transparencyof electricity tariffs and collection processes, communicate clear requirements for renewable projectdevelopment, and make energy data widely available.

Implementing energy efficiency codes and standards, encouraging energy audits and net metering program for major energy consumers, offering tax incentives to encourage renewable energy technology importation and use and other measures would saveenergy consumers money and reduce the overall level of suppressed demand in Haiti.

To download a free copy of the Haiti Sustainable Energy Roadmap visit contact Gaelle Gourmelon at or +1 (202) 745-8092 ext 510.

Author Quotes

“There is hardly a place on Earth where the advantages of a distributed electricity system powered by domestic renewable sources are as evident as in Haiti. In the absence of a national grid system, Haiti has an opportunity to leapfrog 20th century energy development, modeling a pathway to electrification and resilience that harnesses the enormous domestic energy resources the country has at hand and uses them locally and efficiently.”

Alexander Ochs, Climate and Energy Director at the Worldwatch Institute and director of the study

“Given Haiti’s electricity system – which relies largely on dirty, expensive, and unreliable fossil fuel generation and an aging distribution infrastructure – Haiti’s government faces two urgent andinterwoven challenges: First, it must develop the infrastructure needed to provide power to the threequartersof Haitians currently without access to modern electricity services. Second, it must diversify itspower supply to increase energy security and resilience to natural disasters and climate change. This roadmap shows how it can be done.”

Alexander Ochs, Climate and Energy Director at the Worldwatch Institute and director of the study

“Access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy is a linchpin to human development. This Haiti

Sustainable Energy Roadmap explores the issues involved in building a sustainable electricity

system based on domestic energy resources and capable of providing modern electricity services to all

Haitians. It shows that only a decentralized power system built on renewable sources and efficient energy use will be able to deliver—business as usual is not a viable option.”

Alexander Ochs, Climate and Energy Director at the Worldwatch Institute and director of the study

“This Sustainable Energy Roadmap can serve as a strong foundation upon which a durable energy future can be built in Haiti. Dedicated professionals from all corners of the energy sector have contributed to its contents to help make it a tool that reflects the on-the-ground realities and daily challenges that can be overcome with sustainable energy solutions. This roadmap will support public leaders, private developers, professional educators and empowered community groups as they work to develop an electricity system that is socially, environmental and financially sustainable. The recommendations and lessons in this report can help Haiti become a strong model for what needs to happen globally in the effort to reduce fossil fuel reliance and harmful carbon dioxide emissions and push back against the menace of global climate change.”

Mark Konold, Caribbean Program Manager, Worldwatch Institute

“Over the course of this project, Worldwatch researchers were fortunate to work with many incredible Haitian contributors. These women and men– energy entrepreneurs, policymakers, educators, and community members – are knowledgeable, dedicated, and innovative. They recognize the opportunities to harness indigenous renewable energy in Haiti, as well as the enormous benefit that would bring. Worldwatch’s objective in writing this report was to bolster their ongoing efforts and provide analysis that spreads awareness and develops tools to support renewables through policy and investment.”

Katie Auth, Research Associate, Worldwatch Institute

Author Bios

Alexander Ochs | Project Director, Author:

Alexander Ochs is Director of Climate and Energy at the Worldwatch Institute in Washington, D.C. Alexander’s areas of expertise include climate, energy and environment policy; international climate negotiations; energy technology; and human development indicators. In 2010, he developed a methodology to design development pathways that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. These Sustainable Energy Roadmaps have since been applied in several countries and world regions. Alexander has been co-editor of three books, author of numerous scholarly articles, director of two documentary films, and frequent contributor to public media. He is chair of the Energy Working Group of the Low Emissions Development Global Partnership (LEDS-GP) and recipient of the Sustainable Future Award of the Austrian Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs.