Navigating our energy future: Marshall Islands Electricity roadmap

Abstract

As one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, the RMI is a global voice for ambitious action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We are committed to ‘walking the talk’ in our climate leadership role by demonstrating a pathway to a low-carbon energy future. We want to show how even tiny, remote islands with limited means can navigate the journey to a low-carbon energy future. The Marshall Islands is highly dependent on imported diesel and faces significant fuel and transportation costs. Around half of our GHG emissions come from burning diesel for electricity. While many of our outer islands have 100 percent renewable generation, our main towns still rely on diesel. Not only does using diesel produce emissions, it makes us very vulnerable to oil price shocks, such as the one that nearly bankrupted us in 2009.