The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE government is moving closer to kicking off its residential self generation programme according to Environment and Housing Minister Kenred Dorsett, who told Tribune Business yesterday that representatives from the Carbon War Room (CWR) will be in New Providence next week to help finalise the registration forms.

“Carbon War Room will be in town on Monday and one of the items on the agenda is the finalisation of the registration form, which really is complete. But it’s really the interconnection agreements that we want to make sure are approved and settled so we can move forward,” said Mr Dorsett. 

The Government has said that, under the renewable energy self generation programme, consumers can generate energy through alternative sources, tie into the current electrical grid and receive a credit for excess supply fed in.

The government has signed an Memorandum of Understanding with CWR, which was founded by Virgin Group chief executive, Sir Richard Branson. The MOU ‘solidifies’ the Bahamas’ commitment to join CWR’s 10 island challenge. CWR launched the ‘10 island challenge’ in 2012 in an effort to reduce the dependency of small island developing states (SIDS) on fossil fuels, working with engineering firms specialising in alternative energy to promote sustainable energy and attract foreign investment.

“We will see how rapidly people come on stream and get involved, Mr Dorsett said. “With the amount of installed current capacity this gives us an opportunity to know what has already been deployed. As I drive around certain neighbourhoods  see a lot of solar installations; in the Family Islands I see wind and solar.

“The registration process will gives us an opportunity to understand what has already been deployed,” he said.