SMART MOVE

Public buildings across Barbados will soon be retrofitted with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems under the Public Sector Smart Energy Programme (PSSEP).
Solar Watt Systems, a local company, has been contracted by the Government of Barbados to install the PV systems on 13 buildings, which include the Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Transport & Works; Queen Elizabeth Hospital; Frank Walcott (NIS) Building; Treasury Building; and National Housing Corporation.

Yesterday during the signing of the contract, Senator the Hon. Darcy Boyce, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Energy and Telecommunications, revealed that the total budget for the renewable energy retrofit in public buildings will be US$$5.5 million.

He said that the retrofit is projected to result in 2.6 MW of renewable energy generation or US$16 million in electricity savings. Additionally, more than 30,719 tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be saved over the same period.

“The public sector is the third highest consumer of electricity after the domestic and commercial sectors. Present consumption represents 16% of all electricity consumption,” Senator Boyce indicated.

The Public Sector Smart Energy Programme co-financed with a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) of US$17 million and a grant from the European Union of US$7.6 million, came into effect with the signature of the respective agreements on November 15, 2013.

The focus is on investment initiatives for renewable energy and energy efficiency in the public sector, with the specific objective of installing renewable energy in government buildings, retrofitting public lights with energy efficient technologies, implementing an electric vehicles pilot project and conducting studies in ocean energy. It also provides for capacity building, institutional strengthening and public education and awareness for a sustainable approach to energy management.

“Our aim is to reduce the electricity bill in the public service by making as many of our buildings energy efficient and by earning income from electricity generation from solar photovoltaics. Government will do its utmost to encourage others to adopt renewable energy and energy efficiency wherever feasible and in doing so will seek to use itself as an example for others,” the Senator said.

Managing Director of Solar Watt, Joshua Hunte, disclosed that phase one of the project, to be carried out over six -months, will get underway from October of this year.

He also took the opportunity to laud the government for the initiative and for leading by example by taking the necessary steps to help reduce the level of the carbon footprint in the environment.

“We are proud that Solar Watt Systems, a 100% owned Barbadian company, was entrusted to execute this project from a list of larger competitors and we will be using 100% skilled Barbadian workers,” Hunte added.

IDB Representative, Juan De La Hoz Vinas noted that they have been working with government in other sectors besides energy.

“We have been working in different areas which are complementary and very relevant to facilitate economic growth and the well-being of the population... We have been working on road rehabilitation, social development, coastal management, energy and will enter a new programme to support tourism for long term growth and development,” he highlighted.

“In the energy sector, we are very proud to have been working closely with European Union and I hope we continue that relationship and partnership, as we want to achieve the same results.”

Her Excellency, Daniela Tramacere, Head of Delegation of the European Commission acknowledged that Barbados has meaningful targets, “and we want to support you in achieving those,” she said.

“We are really truly undergoing a clean-energy revolution and we fully engaged in supporting you in this…We don’t have a planet b, this our planet, and we have to do whatever we have to do – it is for the future; our children; for the planet.”