United States Virgin Islands energy mix & electricity
In 2023, the United States Virgin Islands generated 680 GWh of electricity. Oil provides 97.1% of it. Few countries depend so heavily on a single source.
The power system is very small (under 1 TWh a year), so it is not included in share-based world rankings. A single plant can change its mix dramatically from one year to the next.
Electricity generation by source in 2023
Share of electricity generation by source, with the change in percentage points over the last ten years.
| Source | TWh | Share | 10-yr Δ pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil | 0.66 | 97.1% | −2.9 |
| Solar | 0.02 | 2.9% | +2.9 |
| Total | 0.68 | 100% |
United States Virgin Islands: electricity in context
In 2023, the United States Virgin Islands generated 680 GWh of electricity. That puts it in the same league as Cayman Islands. Oil provides 97.1% of it. Few countries depend so heavily on a single source.
The renewable share stood at 2.9%. That is 31 points below the world average of 33.8%. It is also below the average for North America (28.8%). The carbon intensity of electricity is 632 g CO₂e/kWh; the global average is 458 g/kWh. This is one of the more carbon-intensive grids in the world.
The biggest decline came from oil (−160 GWh). The net effect: renewables gained 2.9 percentage points of share since 2013. Total generation shrank by 140 GWh over the same period. Carbon intensity dropped from 659 to 632 g/kWh, a 4% cut.
Coal has essentially never been burned for electricity here: its share has stayed below 1% throughout the record.
Solar (2.9%) and wind (0%) now add up to 2.9% of generation; the global figure is 17.3%. Per person, that is 233 kWh of solar electricity a year, versus a global average of 338 kWh.
Generation per person is 7,934 kWh a year, 2.1× the world average of 3,860 kWh. The United States Virgin Islands does not trade electricity with other countries: the grid is not interconnected with any neighbour.
How the power mix has changed
Electricity generation by source since 2000. Switch to shares to see the structural shift independent of demand growth.
Renewables and carbon intensity
United States Virgin Islands against the world and North America averages.
Solar & wind farms: United States Virgin Islands
7 utility-scale facilities tracked by Global Energy Monitor (2026): 34 MW of solar and 0 MW of wind operating, plus 44 MW under construction or planned.
See them on the mapLargest solar & wind farms: United States Virgin Islands →
How does United States Virgin Islands compare?
United States Virgin Islands next to 6 neighbouring countries, plus regional and world averages. Click a column to sort; use “Compare” for full side-by-side charts.
| Country | Renewable % | Low-carbon % | Fossil % | gCO₂/kWh | kWh / person | Generation TWh | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States Virgin Islands | 2.9% | 2.9% | 97.1% | 632 | 7,934 | 0.7 | — | |
| Puerto Rico | 6.4% | 6.4% | 93.6% | 655 | 6,265 | 20.3 | Compare | |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 8.1% | 8.1% | 91.9% | 595 | 3,945 | 0.4 | Compare | |
| Guadeloupe | 35.3% | 35.3% | 64.7% | 497 | 4,435 | 1.7 | Compare | |
| Martinique | 25.8% | 25.8% | 74.2% | 530 | 4,364 | 1.5 | Compare | |
| Dominican Republic | 23.8% | 23.8% | 76.2% | 537 | 1,969 | 22.7 | Compare | |
| Saint Lucia | 2.5% | 2.5% | 97.5% | 650 | 2,225 | 0.4 | Compare | |
| North America average | 28.8% | 44.7% | 55.3% | 369 | 9,025 | 5,534 | Compare | |
| World average | 33.8% | 42.6% | 57.4% | 458 | 3,860 | 31,772 | Compare |
Calculators for United States Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands energy: frequently asked questions
What percentage of electricity in the United States Virgin Islands is renewable?
What is the main source of electricity in the United States Virgin Islands?
How clean is the electricity in the United States Virgin Islands?
How much electricity does the United States Virgin Islands use per person?
How much solar power does the United States Virgin Islands produce?
More countries in North America
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries
- World Resources Institute: Global Power Plant Database v1.3 (CC BY 4.0) — power plant locations and capacity
Electricity data: Ember and Energy Institute Statistical Review via Our World in Data (CC BY 4.0); latest year 2023. Power plants: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). Rankings exclude systems under 1 TWh and values older than 2020. Figures may be revised by the original publishers.