![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/renewable-energy.jpg\" "\\"renewable-energy\\"")
The purpose of this document is to 1) provide an overview of the current situation in the Bahamas with regards to energy consumption and production; 2) relay initiatives that are currently being undertaken to be more energy efficient; 3) summarise the pros and cons of alternative energy proposals for The Bahamas; and 4) propose strategies that will help to put us on the path to an energy secure Bahamas by reducing the energy load in The Country.<\/p>\n
Our environment is our most important natural resource.\u00a0 The environment of The Bahamas has been responsible for developing a global financial services industry and a sustainable cadre of second home owners.\u00a0 The dominant revenue generating source of The Bahamas is tourism.\u00a0 Accordingly, The Bahamas must develop an energy plan based upon clean energy that capitalises on our abundant natural resources (wind, water, sun and recyclable waste).\u00a0 The benefits of clean energy will be enduring and invaluable in terms of preserving our most precious natural resource, the environment, reducing our exposure to volatile energy prices, and simultaneously benefiting our foreign exchange reserves.<\/p>\n
Current Energy Consumption and Production in The Bahamas<\/p>\n
The Bahamas is one of the few sovereign nations to be nearly 100% dependant on fossil fuel.\u00a0 A measure of dependence is greenhouse gas emissions.\u00a0 In the Caribbean, only the Dominican Republic and Jamaica emit more greenhouse gas than The Bahamas.\u00a0 The National Electricity Utility, BEC, produces electricity with diesel and gas turbine generators.\u00a0 BEC has an installed national capacity of 436 megawatts.\u00a0 Throughout The Bahamas, there are a few successful renewable energy projects, but none to date that are capable of serving more than their local community.<\/p>\n
The price of oil peaked at $146.14 per barrel on July 14, 2008.\u00a0 The 66% increase in the oil price during 2008, which was not related to supply shortages, caused many countries to look for renewable energy solutions.\u00a0 Since hitting a low of $43.53 per barrel on February 18, 2009, the price of oil per barrel has been increasing on a virtual roller-coaster.\u00a0 The volatility has been exacerbated by strife and tensions in Egypt, Libya, Syria and elsewhere.\u00a0 Demand in China and elsewhere, coupled with the increasing tendency by oil producing countries to provide social benefits to citizens, financed by higher oil prices only serve to create more uncertainty.\u00a0 The Bahamas must continue with efforts to reduce its exposure to this systemic risk.<\/p>\n
Initiatives Being Undertaken to be More Energy Efficient<\/p>\n
The Government of The Bahamas has systematically reduced the tariff on all identifiable categories of items that are high energy consumers.\u00a0 Appliances, building materials, light bulbs, cars and renewable technologies, have all attracted lower taxes to encourage the Bahamian public to invest in energy reduction strategies.\u00a0 The Ministry of The Environment undertook several Energy Initiatives intended to be complimentary and supportive of the objective of increasing energy efficiency, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and implementing a renewable energy strategy.<\/p>\n
The Ministry promulgated a National Energy Policy to bring long term focus and strategy direction to The Bahamas Energy demand and supply situation.<\/p>\n
Strengthening the Energy Sector: Throughout this project, a financial and operational review of BEC was completed.\u00a0 Specifically, the project reviewed the expansion plan, the regulatory framework and BEC\u2019s operational efficiency.\u00a0 The project has been used to guide a policy decision.<\/p>\n
Promoting Sustainable Energy:\u00a0 Through this project options were developed to advise on national energy efficiency, assess renewable energy technology, and implement a number of pilot energy projects.<\/p>\n
Through this project limited quantities of energy efficient light bulbs, solar water heating, solar photovoltaics, and compact fluorescents bulbs were purchased and installed in selected institution and homes.<\/p>\n
In addition to the Government led initiatives, a number of unsolicited offers for renewable energy and energy efficient have been submitted to the Ministry of The Environment.\u00a0 Several companies have approached the Ministry of discuss renewable energy solutions, including: solar; biomass; wind; ocean thermal conversion; and waste to energy.<\/p>\n
Energy Efficiency: Several companies have approached the Ministry and BEC with proposal to increase energy efficiency, including retrofitting generators.<\/p>\n
Solar Energy: A offer was made by the Ambassador of India to provide Solar Water Heaters and PV.
\nPros and Cons of Alternative Energy Technologies For The Bahamas<\/p>\n
There are myriad of renewable energy options that are being evaluated, tested and implemented throughout the world, including hydrogen fuel cells and mini nuclear plants.\u00a0 However, not all alternative\/renewable technologies are suitable for implementation in The Bahamas.\u00a0 Current technologies indicate that the following sources of renewable energy are viable based on oil priced at $50 to $60 per barrel:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Waste to Energy
\nCurrent technologies indicate that the following sources of renewable energy are viable based on oil priced at $80 to $90 per barrel:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Solar
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Wind
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Bio Fuels<\/p>\n
Technologies that were evaluated for The Bahamas are as follows:<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Solar Technologies (Concentrated Solar Power): Includes Photovoltaic, Parabolic Trough Collectors, Tower and Dish Collectors.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Thermal: Includes energy conversion technologies, such as Biomass.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Wind: Includes the use of wind turbines.\u00a0 This technology has been implemented to a significant degree on both utility and consumer scales.<\/p>\n
BEC recently signed an MOU with OTEC to develop Ocean Thermal energy sources in The Bahamas to generate electricity and create other industries.<\/p>\n
Technologies that are suitable for The Bahamas were selected using criteria based upon a combination of factors, such as: environmental concerns; economical viability; safety; and technologies parameters.\u00a0 At this time, the technology deemed most suitable for implementation on New Providence is Waste to Energy conversion:<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The challenge of garbage disposal and growing land fill requirements represents an opportunity to solve two major problems simultaneously, to reduce the growing mountain of garbage and produce electricity for sale;<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Waste to Energy can be easily implemented;<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The source of fuel is readily available and sustaining (New Providence alone an estimated 1,000 tons of garbage is collected daily);<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The cost to implement its economically practical;<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Additional power generation is needed on New Providence and can be accommodated within the transmission grid, which has a convenient source of grid inter-tie near the source of production;<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The present site is environmentally receptive to the development of a waste management plant; and<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The Government of The Bahamas and The Inter American Development Bank signed an agreement in October 1999 to help provide for environmentally sound waste management.<\/p>\n
It is expected that only one plant of between 10 \u2013 20 MW is possible on New Providence.<\/p>\n
Proposed Strategies That Will Help Put Us on the Path to An Energy Secure Bahamas<\/p>\n
The Bahamas will adopt a National Energy Strategy based upon sustainable energy sources available in The Bahamas.\u00a0 The Strategy will be based on a policy to utilise a \u201ccradle-to-grave\u201d approach to waste; conserve natural resources, integrate natural systems in the supply of energy, and utilise the most efficient technology available.\u00a0 The Strategy will be driven by the goal of harnessing naturally available resources (wind, solar energy, energy from the sea), the need to become more energy efficient in the production and use of energy, and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.\u00a0 Complementary activities to achieving this goal include recycling and energy conservation in building design.<\/p>\n
Government buildings: The energy audit done through the IDB funded project provided a means to benchmark energy efficiency and set measurable goals to improve energy efficiency for all government buildings.\u00a0 Lighting from solar sources, better selection of materials to reduce energy use, and improvements in design to maximise the use of natural energy sources (light, wind, heat transfers) will be examined.<\/p>\n
Subdivisions: All new subdivisions will have prescribed methods to retain natural forests, minimise waste streams, improve waste collection systems and drainage.<\/p>\n
Schools:\u00a0 All schools will be equipped with solar lighting and solar energy for air conditioning.\u00a0 Schools in particular should not have the need for massive battery storage and with appropriate adaptation could be converted to solar power for daily lighting.\u00a0 An evening lighting will be necessary in some areas, schools will have selected backup power from traditional sources.<\/p>\n
Business:\u00a0 Businesses in The Bahamas especially hotels, will be incensed to invest in energy savings devices for heating, cooling, cooking and recycling.<\/p>\n
Bahamas Electricity Corporation:\u00a0 BEC will be mandated to produce a specified minimum quantity of its energy supply from renewable sources.\u00a0 The sources vary by island and will be supported by legislation and regulatory changes to accommodate smart metering, net metering, sales to BEC, and power sharing arrangements with industry.<\/p>\n
Households:\u00a0 Households will be given incentives to save energy by investing in rainwater tanks, solar heating and cooling and energy efficient appliances.\u00a0 Advertisements will be run on the radio, TV and in the newspaper to ensure the public is aware of the potential savings.<\/p>\n
Lastly, BEC has engaged in discussions with Marubeni Corporation regarding the purchase of the Abaco Plant.\u00a0 A confidentially agreement has been signed between BEC and Marubeni following a detailed site visit of the island facilities.\u00a0 BEC has received inquiries from other companies regarding selling generating capacity under \u201cbuild, own and operate\u201d arrangements.<\/p>\n
By Earl D. Deveaux<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Bahamas must develop an energy plan based upon clean energy that capitalises on our abundant natural resources (wind, water, sun and recyclable waste).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_10223285771444175_51037792744":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[202,76],"class_list":["post-14344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-energy","tag-environment-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14344","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14344"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14344\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}