The Energy Transition in Suriname

Suriname is a small but resource-rich country navigating the complexities of a global energy transition from the margins. With an economy historically shaped by bauxite mining and gold extraction, Suriname today remains heavily reliant on gold exports as a key source of revenue. While the country’s contribution to global critical mineral supply is limited, its mineral wealth, particularly gold, plays a significant role in both its domestic economy and its engagement with international markets. Suriname’s energy system is modest, with a growing reliance on solar energy in remote communities and continued dependence on fossil fuels for urban electricity generation and transport. Recent efforts to improve energy access and expand renewable capacity have been supported by international development banks and regional cooperation frameworks, including CARICOM and the IADB. However, institutional and fiscal constraints, combined with infrastructure challenges, have slowed progress toward a more diversified and sustainable energy mix. As a member of the G77, WTO, and United Nations, Suriname aligns with broader global efforts to promote sustainable development and climate resilience. Yet its transition is primarily focused on economic stability, energy security, and managing the environmental impacts of small-scale and industrial gold mining, particularly in the interior rainforest regions. In this context, Suriname’s energy and resource strategy is shaped less by mineral diplomacy and more by developmental priorities, environmental stewardship, and its evolving role within the Caribbean and Amazonian regional blocs.