Barbados Energy Transition Stalled by Structural Barriers

“This transformation of the island’s energy framework from fossil-based to renewable sources – executed while the island continues to function normally during the transformation, represents a number of unprecedented technical, administrative, financial, political, social, and educational mountains that will all need to be climbed.”

Browne agreed with the MarketScale study’s conclusion that incumbent energy providers resist transitioning to sustainable options, arguing that the current structure of the energy sector continues to influence the pace and direction of the transformation.

He also pointed to the study’s identification of alternative approaches which he believes have not received sufficient attention.

“The research by MarketScale further catalogues several potentially viable alternatives that are currently not promoted within official circles. Concepts such as cooperative ownership, the use of biofuels such as bagasse and sargassum, and of pumped storage – rather than battery storage, appear to have been discarded due mainly to various pressures applied in order to maintain their status quo, by the incumbent, dominant players.”

The veteran engineer said the transition had stalled because fundamental planning, regulatory and structural issues remained unresolved:

“Such a complex engineering and management undertaking as the BNEP can never be implemented successfully in the absence of very exact and detailed professional preparation, planning, and strategising being put into place upfront. No such planning has ever been shared with the public or with the various stakeholders.”

Browne said unresolved issues included ownership structures, regulatory frameworks, financing arrangements and legal considerations, despite the passage of six years since the BNEP was introduced.

He also suggested that delays in issuing long-term licences may reflect concerns about moving ahead without a comprehensive national plan.

Browne pointed to what he described as a photovoltaic “dead end”, arguing that significant private investment in solar cells has become tied up because of inadequate storage capacity on the electricity network.

He also highlighted the unresolved Light & Power rate application and said potential investors had been affected by uncertainty created by the lack of national planning and strategy.

In outlining what he believes is the way forward, Browne urged the government to treat the energy transition as a major engineering undertaking and hand responsibility for its execution to experienced professional administrators.

He called for the establishment of a multidisciplinary panel of engineering, financial, regulatory and business experts to develop an overarching architectural framework and produce a formal national energy transformation plan.

He also recommended updating the relevant legislation and regulatory framework, appointing a professional engineering or project management entity to oversee implementation, and ensuring the public and key stakeholders are fully involved and educated throughout the process.

Browne said stakeholders remain available to assist in ensuring the success of the BNEP, which he said is critical to Barbados’ future energy reliability.

(LG)