There was a time the average Barbadian, if quizzed, would know the names of the government ministers responsible for the various portfolios. Due to a lack of interest in civic and public affairs nowadays, this is no longer the case. A case in point, the blogmaster had to perform a google to be reminded of the current Minister of Energy is Kerri Symmonds. Anyway, six o’ one, half dozen o’ the other.
Let us discuss the issue at hand.
Barbados’ electricity demand is rising every year, driven by a growing residential and commercial consumption- it has become fashionable these days for an air conditioning unit to be installed on the most modest house. We have also been aggressively adopting EV and Hybrid vehicles. A report in the press last week cited 70% of all new vehicles being sold are EV and hybrid. It goes without saying that adopting a relevant national energy plan is imperative to ensure our survival.
Relevant link: Western Europe has hottest June on record
From all reports electricity consumption in Barbados has increased for three consecutive years and now exceeds one billion kilowatt hours annually. The demand on the electric grid continues to exert pressure on an ageing Barbados Light and Power infrastructure – accentuating the challenges of limited battery storage and slow adoption of intermittent energy supply. Barbados continuing over reliance on imported fossil fuels contradicts Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s message to the world that Barbados is on course to achieve 100 percent renewable energy and 100 percent electrification of the transport sector by 2030. The blogmaster senses we are living in an alternate energy reality that does not match a ‘fit for purpose’ energy policy.
| Year | Net generation (TWh) | Net consumption (TWh) | Installed capacity (MW) | Renewables share (%)* | System losses (%)** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0.31 | 0.30 | 90 | ~0 | ~3 |
| 1990 | 0.40 | 0.40 | ~150 | ~0 | ~0 |
| 2000 | 0.76–0.80 | 0.70 | ~200 | ~0 | ~12 |
| 2010 | 0.97–1.00 | 1.00 | ~250 | ≲1 | ~3 |
| 2020 | 1.06 | 1.01 | 320 | ~10 | ~4.7 |
| 2024 | 1.10–1.102 | 1.036–1.04 | 322 | ~15–20 (solar led) | ~6 |
The goal of 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 is admirable but not achievable. Although solar capacity is growing, without storage its output cannot be integrated to the power grid to reduce dependence on fossil fuel. The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) has been hopelessly inadequate representing its mandate. Successive governments piecemeal approach has also been inadequate.
The issue of storage continues to compromise Barbados’ policy objective of 100 percent goal by 2030. We must hope and pray that Minister Kerri Symmonds’ promise made a couple months ago that, “we are about to procure probably around 150 megawatts of battery storage via a special effort in the international marketplace so as to bring resolution to the difficulties we have with regard to renewable energy in Barbados,” is not a comfort to fools.
Barbados MUST accelerate energy transition by mandating efficiency standards. Surely this is a quick fix?
It is fair to say that while we are waiting to boost battery storage capability, the government can more aggressively lay the ground work by ensuring relevant energy standards are implemented and adopted by stakeholders -this is if we are serious about reducing over reliance on fossil fuels.
Barbados cannot afford to treat energy policy as a bureaucratic exercise. Rising demand is already here. Higher temperatures are already here. The volatility of the global energy market is also here. Our transition strategy must match the urgency of the reality we are facing.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.