Island facts
The islands’ electricity use is 16.5 GWh. Still, the demand is growing fast (2% per year) and depends on investments in new grand resorts on the island, such as the envisaged Golden Rock Resort, with an expected installed 700kWp solar park with battery storage/BESS. Statia Utility Company (STUCO) supplies electricity and drinking water. The energy system is transitioning to renewables. Until 2016, power was solely diesel-generated. In March 2016, the inaugural phase of a solar park with a 1.89 MWp capacity began, catering to 23% of the total power needed. November 2017 saw an additional 2.15 MWp, cumulating 14,345 solar panels with a 4.1 MW capacity, producing 6.4 GWh annually. This hurricane-resistant solar park incorporates 5.9 MWh lithium-ion batteries, contributing to grid stability and energy allocation. With swift cloud movements in the region, the SMA HybridController maintains real-time energy, balancing diesel and battery power, to be further upgraded when phase 3 of the energy plan is completed. Diesel generators remain inactive from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on clear days.
TNO Research's analysis for Statia posits that, coming from ca. 50% today, achieving 80% energy self-sufficiency through renewables is plausible, forecasting an annual electricity need of 18.6 GWh with 6.6 MW Solar PV, 2.4 MW Wind, and 22.3 MWh BESS. The wind power contribution is under study, but the preliminary results look positive.
From an 80 to 100% Renewables-based E-System St Eustatius aims to transition to an 80% renewables-based Energy System (primarily electricity) in the next years. While this goal is considered fully attainable, moving beyond to 100% renewable energy, to be achieved in 2030, poses intricate challenges. Currently, there's no detailed & final roadmap for this ultimate step, highlighting the need for expert advice. The CE4EUI Technical Assistance (TA) could offer essential advice and guidance for this phase.
Organisations involved in the transition:
- Sint Eustatius Public Authority - https://www.statiagovernment.com/
- STUCO - https://www.statiagovernment.com/key-topics/water-management-stuco/contact
- Dutch Ministry of Energy & Climate - https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ministerie-van-economische-zaken-en-klimaat
- Residents & House owners (including tourists)
- Holiday Parks
- Other Electricity-User Groups (Business, Services, Harbour, Airport, Water Company etc.)
- Suppliers of PV-, Windpower and Battery systems plus other emerging ET-technologies
- Car producers, car owners, garages, car rental companies for EV fleet bidirectional functioning battery systems
- IT Companies for Smart Systems
- Suppliers of Infrastructural Facilities
- Engineering & Construction Companies, Installers
- Researchers, Energy Transition Modellers and Advisers
- Training Institutes for multi-skilled ET engineers, craftsmen, managers and civil servants.
- Most of the mentioned Stakeholders are already part of the previous and ongoing phases 1-4 of the Statia Energy Transition Plan and are on the island or have their venues. However, in case new skills and capacity are needed in the 80-->100% project phase, in close connection with still to be explored new options, such as Hydrogen, a temporary influx of specialists might be needed, as well as own capacity building and upskill training for existing technical and managerial staff.