The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Renewable energy sector representatives yesterday urged the Government to  “give us a chance to prove ourselves”, the Chamber of Commerce describing reform in this industry as the Bahamas’ “single largest priority”.

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chief executive, Edison Sumner, said next Wednesday’s Energy Security Forum would bring together more than 100 industry stakeholders, policymakers and environmental activists to discuss the Government’s energy policy, plus focus on issues such as oil exploration; greening the Bahamas’ tourism industry; the economica of energy in the Bahamas; and alternative energy for the Bahamas.

“Energy reform has to be the single largest priority for this country, as the cost of energy is a major deterrent to doing business in the Bahamas. It is seriously dampening, or dare I say, killing the prospects of growth in the economy in almost every industry,” Mr Sumner said.

“We are simply not competitive as a nation, with the high cost of energy being what it is today.”

Jack Roosevelt, managing director of Clifton Energy Partners, yesterday described the Government’s recently-unveiled National Energy Policy as a “massive step forward”.

“There are some really key initiatives in there, and it has the potential for new alternative energy, but also from a solar standpoint for grid-tie,” Mr Roosevelt said. “It really empowers individuals to be able to to take charge of their electricity bills and generate electricity for themselves.

“It’s a massive step forward. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, we will see that Bill come before Parliament.”

Mr Roosevelt said his firm has had “close conversations” with the Government for several months regarding a potential development of land it owns in western New Providence.

Tribune Business reported back in June that he, and the late Nancy Oakes’ estate, had submitted to the Government a proposal to develop a solar power plant on the hundreds of acres it owns in southwestern New Providence.

Wilfred Smith, president and chief executive of Green Fuel Enterprises, described the Government’s National Energy Policy as a “sea change” for the energy sector.

Mr Smith said Bahamian residents have the ability to reduce their electricity bills anywhere from 20-40 per cent through efficiency and conservation.

“Our primary technology is something called OTEC, ocean thermal energy conversion. That is our response at the macro level to assist BEC with substantially reducing those high electrify bills,” Mr Smith said.

“At the micro-level, the home and business level, we take a comprehensive approach by introducing platforms in the conservation and efficiency areas. We have deployed the technology in the Bahamas, and  clients get 20, 30, 40 per cent off their current BEC bill within the current BEC Act.

“We ask, in the renewal energy sector, to give us the opportunity to prove ourselves. We have access to the same amount of funding and technology as the fossil fuel platforms. At the end of the day the best technology, price and resources going forward should determine who stays around for the next 20 years,” added Mr Smith.

“There are new technologies that allow us to substantially reduce the cost of energy on the renewables side. We are asking the Government to hear our platform, hear our experts and, at the end of the day, make a decision.”

Simon Potter, chief executive of the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC), who is also set to speak at the conference, said oil exploration is an integral part of the National Energy Policy.

He added that in the event of oil exploration success, tens of billions of dollars could be generated, having a “transformational” effect on the Bahamian economy and society if managed correctly.