Extend network
National electrification rate (2010): 12%
Electricity is unevenly distributed among the population.
Energy procedure
Draft Energy Policy for the Republic of Haiti.
Energy debates
N/A
Energy sources
Total installed electricity capacity (2010): 155 MW
Thermal: 72.5%
Hydro-electricity: 27.55%.
Wood is the principal energy source for the majority of Haitians.
Regulatory roles
Tariffs are determined in cooperation with the Prime Minister’s office.
Competition
No reforms have been implemented to introduce competition in the electricity sector.
EdH is unable to cover its operating expenses due to inefficiency and heavy subsidisation of energy consumption. Energy subsidies from the Haitian state are equivalent to around 1% of the country’s GDP.
Energy efficiency
N/A
Capacity concerns
Haiti suffers from a general lack of investment in the energy infrastructure, caused in part by the fact that prices are artificially held below the true cost of production and delivery. Power supply is generally inefficient and unreliable. The rate of technical and non-technical losses from the power network is very high, estimated at above 55%.
The total electricity demand has been estimated at 550 MW, far above the 155 MW installed capacity.
There is a broad use of stand-alone diesel generators.
Government agencies
N/A
Energy regulation role
N/A
Ownership
State owned corporation Electricity of Haiti (EdH) is the country’s utility company primarily responsible for the electric power generation, transmission, and retail distribution.
Independent Power Producers provide part of generation capacity and sell their electricity to EdH.
Degree of independence
N/A
Energy framework
Regulatory reforms to the energy sector have not progressed as intended due to political factors and the impact and aftermath of the devastating earthquake.
Reliance
80% of energy consumption is supplied by local resources, 20% is imported through conventional energy sources. This 20% includes derivatives of petroleum such as gasoline, gasoil, liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene.
Role of the government
The Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications is the lead government agency in much of the energy sector activity.
The Bureau of Mines and Energy (BME) is an independent agency created in 1986 operating under supervision of the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Telecommunications. Its main mission is to promote research and exploitation of mineral and energy resources of Haiti.
The Ministry of Environment is responsible for promotion of sustainable energy and environmental protection.
Regulatory framework
N/A
Regulatory barriers
N/A
Energy regulator
There is no energy regulator in Haiti.
Renewable energy
Biomass is being promoted by the government and is most used for cooking. Small-scale solar usage is picking up in schools
Wind is the most promising renewable resource for Haiti. A Study of wind at three sites was conducted with good results. Haiti also has untapped resources of at least 50 MW in potential small hydro projects. Solar PV potential is estimated at 1,654 MW of installed capacity, but bulk power development would not be economic based on current estimates.
Policy and Regulatory Overview [3] 