G20 countries concluded its meeting on the weekend. The usual bovine excrement was recorded in the joint communiqué which was duly released yesterday. One bit of information coming out of the deliberations which held the interest of BU referred to the need to “phase out over the medium term of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption, taking into account vulnerable groups and their development needs.” Didn’t know if to laugh or cry at the statement. The statement reminded BU to view a video clip which poked some fun at the last eight US presidents including Obama, who promised to shift US dependence on oil. Did someone asked for a definition of lip service?
Living on an island blessed to be located in the tropics, it continues to bamboozle the mind why politicians and policymakers would resist serious attempts to build a renewable energy (RE) program in Barbados. Whether our RE program is developed using solar, wind or other means can be determined by collaborating with available expertise on the ground or abroad if required.
In recent months there has been mutterings about the Lambert wind farm pilot project which is sponsored by the Barbados Light & Power (BLP) being resuscitated. BU has struggled with the idea of BL&P playing the role of project champion for the RE agenda in Barbados. Why have we not advanced the formulation of a RE policy to a more advanced stage? Professor Oliver Headley must be writhing in his grave given his work in solar before he died. In recent days we have listened to the newly installed head of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce Andy Armstrong advertising his commitment to pushing the RE agenda. We shall see if he makes any headway when his tern is done.
The government of Barbados promised to push an alternative energy agenda when it gained office over two and a half years ago. To quote Prime Minister David Thompson when he delivered a speech at the national consultation on cost of living in 2008, to emphasize policies which would “accelerated efforts aimed at developing renewable energy” will be made.
BU acknowledges that contracting revenues, coupled with a weighty public debt made heavier by the global recession would have caused plans to have been adjusted. However the issue of building a alternative energy program has been made all the more important in light of the current global slowdown. Our foreign exchange spend on oil to run our fossil based economy is significant. Until we make the shift our small open economy will continue to be buffeted in the economic storms sure to follow like a moses on the high seas. To those like Stephen Worme BL&P’s marketing manager, BU refutes his often repeated argument that comparative analysis identifies fossil energy to be the cheapest option. His argument is an economic one and exposes the agenda of the BL&P. The other side of the argument which Worme ignores is the need for Barbados to develop an alternative energy plan to act as a safety net which considers the volatile nature of the oil price mechanism. Lest we forget the price of oil zoomed to US$147.00 per barrel in recent times.
Professor Oliver Headley died mysteriously in 2002, solar energy was introduced to Barbados in the late 60s. Fifty years later because of the laziness by our scientists to advance the late Professor Headley’s work, we have succeeded in making our country more vulnerable than ever before in our history. While some say we have progressed in light of the foregoing can we say we have progressed?
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