As part of a pilot programme, BL&P has introduced a Renewable Energy Rider “to permit small customer-owned wind and solar photovoltaic systems to connect to the grid” to generate electricity for their own use and sell surplus back to BL&P. Provision was made for up to 200 connections but the last public report I saw suggested that less than 10 consumers had signed up.

Andrew Brathwaite

Chief Marketing Officer Stephen Worme of the Barbados Light and Power Ltd (BL&P) is quoted in the press suggesting that “international oil prices are predicted to rise and it would be unrealistic to expect the Barbados Light & Power Company not to pass on the increase to electricity users or to expect Government to subsidize it for “any extended period of time”  BU’s best research contradicts Worme’s forecast however we  concede that there is a known volatility associated with oil prices.

A couple years ago when the price of oil skyrocketed to USD140.00 plus per barrel it sparked a robust national conversation about the mitigating steps which should be taken.Two years later we are still talking with no semblance of a Renewable Energy Program to be mobilized any time soon.

Whenever Chief Marketing Officer Worme as been asked the question about using solar energy to complement fossil power generation at BL&P, he has resorted to the excuse of non-viability. By BL&P’s logic the price of oil has to reach a higher price point to ensure an acceptable rate of return on the  investment. At no time has BL&P proffered any analysis to the public to support its argument. Why should they anyway if the media and stakeholders, who should be curious, have not made the request.

Mr. Worme can you share BL&P’s analysis with the public so that it can inform the national conversation on how we should effectively and efficiently design a Renewable Energy Program?

Have you approached government about making concessions which would reduce the cost of a solar project?

Given the national benefits to be had of implementing such a project  wouldn’t government be a willing partner?

Frankly we are too intelligent a people to be accepting Chief Marketing Officer’s ‘opinion’ that the cost to develop solar energy is prohibitive when compared to fossil fuel as the raw material. What is stopping BL&P and government approaching a reputable solar vendor and negotiating a position which would positively affect cost to the end consumer?

The has come for the bullshit to stop!