The Tribune

OCEAN Thermal Energy (OTE) has appointed of Susan Larson as senior vice-president and executive director to head up its Bahamas operations. OTE Corporation is building the world's largest seawater district cooling system (SDC) for the $3.4 billion Baha Mar Resort on Cable Beach, and has a signed memorandum of understanding with the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) to move forward with two 5-10 Mega Watt (MW) renewable energy ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plants. OTE's system will supply Baha Mar with chilled water for all its air conditioning needs. The $100 million project is expected to save Baha Mar up to 90 per cent in energy costs, as well as eliminate the use of environmentally-harmful refrigerants. Over the life of the contract, the system is expected to reduce Baha Mar's energy consumption by an estimated 58,000 barrels of oil per year, producing considerable savings in electricity costs. Mrs Larson said: "My appointment is a tremendous honour and a great opportunity. OTE's clean fossil-fuel free energy technology brings to the Bahamas another environmental first for our country in an impressive line of firsts. "As we build out the SDC and OTEC projects at these large scales, we will, as a nation, move closer to eliminating our dependency on fossil fuel as well as providing opportunities for potable water and sustainable food production". OTE chairman, Jeremy Feakins, said: "We are delighted to have Susan Larson as a valued member of the OTE executive team. As a Bahamian with a long-standing and steadfast commitment to the Bahamas and the environment, we are confident that Mrs Larson will utilise her considerable talents to help OTE introduce its technology for the long-term betterment of Bahamians." Mrs Larson joins OTE Corporation after completing a post as project manager for a multi-million dollar development in the Exuma Cay. Mrs Larson was the former deputy director of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT).