Page 44 - “GREENING” THE CONTENT IN CXC® SYLLABUSES

E-LEARNING MODULES AND LEARNING GUIDE FOR TEACHERS

2.2: Renewable Energy Sources and Technologies

Objective 2: Discuss the need for renewable energy, with specific

reference to the Caribbean.

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Energy is necessary for a country’s economic growth and
social/human development and are required by many services

such as lighting, cooling, and heating. Most countries depend

on fossil fuels to meet their energy demand. However, the
overdependence on fossil fuels use is adversely affecting many

countries (including the Caribbean Region) and which has led to

the high cost of fossil fuels imports, lack of energy security,

economic competitiveness, and growth, impacts on balance-of-payments and foreign exchange,
social development, and climate change issues.

Fossil Fuels are Limited and Costly to Import

Many countries are dependent on fossil fuel (coal, oil, and gas) to generate electricity for such

services such as lighting, heating and cooling. The Caribbean is no different from the rest of the
world and depends heavily on high cost imported fossil fuels into the region to meet its energy

demand. Fossil fuels are finite and are non-renewable and place a heavy burden on some

countries balance of payments and foreign exchange reserves. High Import costs have also

affected the cost of production for manufacturing companies. The electric utility companies are
also affected by high import costs of fossil fuels which cause high tariffs. A shift towards

renewable energy use, should therefore reduce the dependence on imported fossil fuels and

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