The Caribbean needs to embrace a transition to 100 per cent adoption of Renewable Energy as if its very life depends on it. This was the general view from a panel discussion on alternative energy which formed part of the programme on Wednesday of Caribbean Exporters’ Colloquium 2014, organised by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) and funded by the European Union via the 10th European Development Fund (EDF).
Alexis George, Project Officer with the Government of Dominica’s Geothermal Project Management Unit and President of Caribbean LED Lighting Inc in Barbados, Jim Reid contended it was achievable to have an economy based on 100 per cent adoption of alternative energy.
Addressing the session “Alternative Energy: The Region’s Transition to Sustainable and Energy Efficient Economies” on Wednesday, the final day of the conference at Hilton Barbados Resort, Reid said “We need to think differently and go after change as if our life depends on it.”
George said Government has a transition role to play and has played a significant role in Dominica where geo-thermal energy holds out the best prospect in alternative energy. The transition in Dominica involved liberalisation and changes in legislation to accommodate Independent Power Providers so the state-owned utility no longer holds a monopoly in generation as well as distribution of electricity.
But Reid stressed that the transition could be achieved with a “Win-Win” where the utility company is financially viable, consumers and businesses benefit from reduced electricity rates and Government continues to earn income from taxes. “Everyone is a winner,” he remarked.
Mike Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Trade, Investment Promotion and Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection in Belize, said Belize had already achieved 60 per cent adoption of renewable energy and was aiming for 85 per cent in the next five years. But he saw a challenge with recovering the cost of the “legacy system” (aged plant and network equipment).
Jannik Vaa, head of Infrastructure, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction and Tourism with the European Union office based in Barbados, supported the view of achieving a 100 per cent renewable energy economy. But he said while the Barbados Renewable Energy Association (BREA) was engaged in public awareness and promotion of ideas Government should take the lead and push the debate. He cited a lecture by German economist Professor Olaf Hohmeyer in Barbados last weekend in which he made an empirical case for Barbados to establish an economy based on 100 adoption of alternative energy. “Get the ball rolling,” said Vaa, “Create a sustainable island in the Caribbean as a showcase … get the community involved,” he said.
The role of conservation also made the agenda where the Jamaican hotelier, Barbara Walker, Co-owner and Manager of Hotel Mockingbird Hill demonstrated how gradual persistence pays off, while lawyer Krishna Desai of Myers, Fletcher & Gordon showed how his firm had reduced its energy bill significantly in Jamaica. The notion that operating costs in the Caribbean prohibited manufacturing was also laid to rest by Jim Reid of Caribbean LED Lighting Inc. Reid, whose firm is based in Barbados, said it was manufacturing LED bulbs cheaper than companies in the United States, thereby saving the country on foreign exchange imports.
Starting with solar water heaters 21 years ago, Hotel Mockingbird Hill has installed solar Photo Voltaic panels and a solar pump for its pool, resulting in a reduction of energy usage from 6000 KWh to 1500 KWh.
But Thomas Scheutzlich, Principal Advisor, Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme, noted the absence of large renewable energy projects in the region, which he attributed to the absence of regulations requiring utility companies to back implementation.
I followed this discussion live from Barbados. Mr. George represented Dominica very well. Alternative energy in the caribbean is surely the way to go considering the cost of doing business here. All governments should consider this within the framework of their available resources – geothermal, wind, water, solar.
Dominica is the only Caribbean Island in a suitable position to take advantage of renewable geothermal energy. We have 9 volcanoes above ground and more in the ocean, all other Caribbean Islands have just 1. We also have an abundance of flora and fauna per square mile that exist nowhere else in the Caribbean. We can also export he energy to neighboring islands, stop importing bottled water from other islands, sell only Dominican water in Dominica, pick 1 river out of many to use as water for export. etc etc etc!!
I gave you a thumbs up, but how come Loubiere water cost as much as imported water…..from Antigua?? lol lol
Save-a-lot etc should be ashamed of themselves to sell water from……Antigua?!! That’s treasonous.
The quickest , easiest, and cleanest way to provide alternative energy cheaply to all the Caribbean islands are the new floating concrete ocean thermal energy conversion platform barges. Each barge can supply clean energy for fifty years or more without destroying the environment like geo thermal wells……….. Money , special interest groups, and political agendas, I am afraid, would stay clear of this option and tech….. Due to monetary kickbacks.
I forgot to mention that these clean energy barges can also supply limitless fresh water , ice, etc, which are very important resources at this time ….. Just my thoughts. Google the above info. It would be worth your time.