Recently the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) asked the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) government to explain its oil exploration policy. The government updated that it was committed to a clean energy policy. Could the Barbados government learn from the unfolding Uruguay’s experience?
Uruguay’s energy story is celebrated as a model of transition, nearly all of its electricity is generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower. Over the past decade it has reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and like Prime Minister Mia Mottley, earned international recognition for its energy policy.
Despite its clean energy success Uruguay has made the recent decision to permit offshore oil exploration. Government has argued that exploration does not necessarily mean exploitation. Expectedly the decision has sparked criticism that Uruguay risks undermining its reputation as a climate leader. There is a paradox for Uruguay: it is a nation that has achieved significant penetration in renewable electricity but has left the door open to pursue fossil fuel development, .
Barbados, by contrast presents a different challenge. Prime Minister Mia Mottley has sold Barbados internationally as a vulnerable state to climate change, and has benefited from climate loans. However, we are heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels and has struggled domestically to advance renewable energy in a material way. The recent failure to privatise the sugar industry with CoopEnergy Barbados to drive clean energy development was a major failure,
Uruguay’s dilemma is balancing green success versus oil temptation; Barbados’ is a climate agenda versus fossil dependence. Go figure.
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