The Barbados National Energy Policy Initiative
A National Sustainable Energy Policy is currently being developed in Barbados which is geared toward guiding policy initiatives, in addition to cultivating the operational framework necessary in providing incentives to small business owners as well as home owners to go green. It is intended that this policy once implemented will act as a catalyst to further the development of renewable energy ventures on the island.
News of the imminent National Sustainable Energy Policy was made public in an address made by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart at the Sustainable Energy For All conference held at Hilton Barbados.
The policy which is scheduled to be finalized this July, will assist government in reaching it’s target of reducing oil imports by US $670 million over a projected 20 year period.
Prime Minister Stuart added, “Based on the above, Barbados can, therefore, commit in the context of the Draft Barbados Declaration, to the incorporation by the year 2030, of 29 per cent of renewable energy in the energy mix and the reduction of electricity consumption through energy measures by 22 per cent.”
Mr.Stuart stressed that specific commitments be made coupled with visible efforts in order to meet the island’s goal of having a decreased dependence on fossil fuels for electricity. In addition he reiterated the importance of support and solidarity for these targets and commitments of the Sustainable Energy For All initiative at the upcoming Rio +20 meeting which is to be held in Brazil.
Lastly, The Prime Minister alluded to the importance of SIDS DOCK in facilitating the emergence of a sustainable energy sector not only in Barbados but amongst other Small Island Developing States. SIDS DOCK is a non-profit alliance of Small Island States which aims in assisting the transformation of the Islands’ national energy sectors into a catalyst for sustainable economic development as well as helping to generate financial resources to address adaptation to climate change.
Excerpts by: S.Coward –Barbados: National Sustainable Energy Policy Launch, May 9th 2012
