What are the energy resources in Haiti?

Haiti has limited energy resources: no petroleum or gas resources, small hydroelectricity potential and rapidly declining supplies of wood fuels. With very limited access to electricity, most of the population in Haiti depends on charcoal as a source of energy.

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 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.

How much power does Haiti have reliably?

Haiti has an installed capacity of 250 to 400 Megawatts (MW) but only 60 percent of it is reliable. Many generation units and grid elements need rehabilitation and repair work. The distribution network has not been rehabilitated for more than 40 years.

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 produce coal?

While Haiti does not produce, consume, or import coal, the country uses extensive amounts of charcoal (often referred to as coal) for household activities. Haiti does not produce, export, import, or have proven reserves of crude oil or natural gas, nor does it produce refined petroleum products.