Safeguarding Biodiversity and Promoting Sustainable Development: Assessing the Energy-Water Nexus of San Andres Island, Colombia

This article provides an extensive examination of the interconnectedness between energy and water in island regions, particularly those heavily reliant on tourism, as exemplified by the present case. This study explores the present state and trends of research in this field with the objective of attaining a sustainable system in future scenarios. Specifically, this analysis delves into the water-energy-CO2 nexus of the Colombian island of San Andres. Currently, there is no energy generation from the water sector, with 76.18% of water consumption directed towards the cooling of thermal power plants and a mere 1.54% of the energy employed for water extraction, desalination, and purification. In 2019, the island's total energy consumption reached 138 ktoe (kilotons of oil equivalent), and renewable energies have yet to contribute to the system. These findings emphasize the necessity for the island to implement measures that will bolster its sustainability, self-sufficiency, and resilience. This entails mitigating and managing the intensity of resource consumption, particularly in areas experiencing economic growth. According to the Sankey diagram obtained, some political implications and recommendations have been listed.

Automated summary

This article extensively examines the interconnection between energy and water in island regions, specifically focusing on the case of San Andres in Colombia. The study aims to achieve a sustainable system in future scenarios by exploring the current state and trends of research in this field. The findings highlight the need for the island to implement measures that enhance sustainability, self-sufficiency, and resilience, particularly in areas experiencing economic growth. Political implications and recommendations have been listed based on the obtained Sankey diagram.