Suriname is facing an electricity capacity shortfall estimated at 80 to 100 megawatts (MW). Depending on weather conditions and the water level in the reservoir, this shortfall could rise to 120 megawatts. Gerard Lau, chairman of the Raad van Toezicht (RvT, Supervisory Board) of the Energie Autoriteit Suriname (EAS, Energy Authority Suriname), warns that swift decision-making and investments are necessary to prevent further problems with electricity supply.
Lau outlined the challenges facing the energy sector on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in a discussion with the Communicatie Dienst Suriname (CDS, Suriname Communication Service). According to him, demand for electricity is continuously increasing, while available generation capacity is not growing sufficiently alongside it.
The Afobaka hydropower plant currently provides about 40 to 50 percent of the country’s electricity needs. The remaining electricity is generated mainly by thermal power plants. Dependence on hydropower also makes the energy supply vulnerable to fluctuations in the water level of the reservoir.
Long delivery times hamper capacity expansion
According to Lau, a major bottleneck in expanding electricity production is the long delivery time for new generation units. With some suppliers, the waiting period is 18 to 34 months. As a result, postponing investment decisions could cause the existing capacity shortfall to increase further.
Lau therefore emphasises the importance of approving and implementing the electricity sector plan. This plan was drawn up with the involvement of, among others, the EAS, Energiebedrijven Suriname (EBS, Suriname Energy Companies), Staatsolie and international consultants.
The sector plan contains a development strategy for the next twenty years, with the first five years focused mainly on eliminating the current shortfall in generation capacity.
“The common thread is the sector plan. If you implement it, you can catch up on the shortfall relatively quickly. But if you are too late, you will face delays in procuring available machines,” Lau said.
For the plan’s formal approval, a state decree must still be adopted.
Solar energy not yet a complete solution
Although solar energy forms part of the future energy mix, this energy source cannot independently meet the growing electricity demand in the short term, according to Lau.
He points out that the actual energy yield from solar panels is considerably lower than the installed peak capacity. “Everyone talks about solar energy, but if I install a capacity of 30 megawatts, I can effectively generate only 20-22%.”
According to the EAS chairman, solar energy remains important as a supplementary energy source. However, for rapidly increasing available generation capacity, he is for the time being giving priority to electricity production using oil-fired installations.
Renting generators a costly temporary solution
Lau also questions the long-term rental of generation units to address the electricity shortfall. Although such measures can provide temporary relief, they entail considerable costs, according to him, without structurally expanding domestic production capacity.
“It is costly and ultimately wasted money if that amount could also have been invested in expanding domestic generation capacity,” he states.
The RvT chairman therefore advocates a long-term approach centred on investment in new power plants and expansion of existing infrastructure.
According to Lau, it is important that the necessary decisions are taken in time. Further delays could result in Suriname not only facing a larger capacity shortfall, but also remaining dependent for longer on costly emergency solutions.
In his view, implementation of the electricity sector plan should form the basis for a more reliable and sustainable energy supply that can support Suriname’s future economic development.
