Why is Haiti struggling to modernise its energy sector?

Haiti’s recent battles to modernise its energy sector serve as a stark lesson for how fraught the business of energy transition can be. In the wake of the scandal, the struggle to provide Haiti’s 11 million people with reliable energy – and the desire to attract foreign investment to do so – has taken on an evermore politically charged hue.

What kind of energy does Haiti use?

This page is part of Global Energy Monitor 's Latin America Energy Portal. Haiti relies on a mix of imported oil and domestic biofuels such as wood and sugar cane for its total energy supply. As of 2020, more than 90% of electrical generation in Haiti was derived from fossil fuels and less than 10% from renewables.

Can private investment help solve Haiti's energy crisis?

“We have had this energy crisis for a long time, more than 20 years,” says Evenson Calixte, managing director of Haiti’s Autorité Nationale de Régulation du Secteur de l’Energie (ANARSE), the nation’s energy regulatory authority. “And we believe that one element that can help reform this sector is private investment.”

Does Haiti's Mose need energy?

For Haiti’s Moïse, who has made the provision of energy nationwide the cornerstone of his presidency, the promise has taken on added urgency as the nation approaches general elections slated for 2021.

What challenges does Haiti face in generating and distributing electricity?

Haiti faces significant challenges in generating and distributing electricity reliably\. The lack of access to affordable and reliable power significantly hinders investment and business development. The majority of electricity is produced using imported fossil fuels.

Does Haiti have a functioning electricity grid?

Haiti's largest electricity grid, the Port-au-Prince metropolitan grid, is operational. However, some towns like Fort-Liberté in the northeast have abandoned electricity distribution networks. Consequently, residents in these areas rely solely on small, privately owned generators to meet their electricity demands.