Aruba Renewable Energy: Can The Island Reach 100% Green?

ORANJESTAD (AAN): With admirable energy, our Prime Minister continues to promote the idea of sustainable development, anchored in the 17 United Nations goals to be achieved by 2030.

Unfortunately, there is too much focus on the goal of changing from fossil fuel energy sources to renewable sources, without paying as much attention to the other goals. Now, if this choice is made from the point of view that not everything can be done at once, it would be good to express this clearly so that everyone understands that indeed the entire package is in view, but priorities must be set.

Aruba Renewable Energy Goals Need Balance

On the other hand, it is important to pay attention to other goals, if the urgent situation demands it. For example, in the case of guaranteeing an appropriate environment for citizens to live in, without danger to their health. The shameful situation of the dumps, legal or illegal, immediately comes to mind.

Can Aruba Achieve 100% Renewable Energy?

As for the aspect of transitioning to renewable energy sources, what is the perspective for actually achieving this goal by 2020? In the recent past, on more than one occasion, we explained to our readers that it is not possible to achieve 100% renewable energy, because we are an island that cannot have the “back-up” of another distribution network in another country.

With 3 years remaining until 2020, the government says we are at 40% renewable energy compared to total production. The bottom line is that even if we could develop a good package of different energy sources, three years seems short to realize all of this. And even more so because each applied technology must be integrated into the distribution system in a reliable and sustainable manner.