Abstract
This paper presents a review of the literature on energy security in the Caribbean Basin, exploring known challenges, proposed solutions, and the outcomes of these solutions in the region. It also looks at and evaluates the potential impact of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) on energy security. Across the literature, the most common impediments to energy security include the transition from fossil fuels which comes with high importation fees to native renewable sources (RE) and the impact of climate change on renewable resources. Access to electricity is not seen as a major impediment with the urbanisation of the region. The integration of renewable energy into existing power grids can, however, present issues if not properly managed. Hydropower, the largest RE share in the region, may be affected by SRM in various ways, ranging from compounding the climate change impact of lessened precipitation inflows to hydroelectric dams or a reduction of impacts owing to increased inflows in the near future depending on the SRM methodology used.
Notwithstanding these variances, the literature shows that irrespective of the SRM methodologies assessed, in the mid to far future, there is a tendency of alleviation on hydroelectric dams regarding inflows, especially in the crucial summer months. Whilst there has been a reasonable discussion on energy security in the region, gaps are still evident. These include for instance the impact on complementary RE inter-island power potential as an energy security avenue within the Caribbean basin under future climate change – an exploration already initiated in Latin America – and the implications of RE-driven energy security under niche but arising subject matter such as SRM.
