#BTEditorial – We do not need another millstone

When will the citizens of this country be given a comprehensive update from the government on what is happening with the installation of alternative energy systems, mainly photovoltaics (PV), and the equally important matter of a licence for the Barbados Light and Power Company (BLPC)?

Moreover, there are reports that BLPC’s licence is on the brink of expiration on December 31 and there has been no word on its renewal.

It is most disconcerting to hear the country’s lone power supplier constantly lament its inability to guarantee a high-quality and consistent power supply to the country unless certain issues are addressed in their favour.

Essentially, the power company, a subsidiary of Canadian energy giant Emera, wants the increase in electricity rates which it has applied for from the Fair Trading Commission (FTC).

Homeowners and business operators have been holding their collective breath, awaiting word from the quasi-judicial body and consumer protection agency for a final determination on whether our electricity bills will be taking another jump.

Interestingly, the power company alerted us following the last island-wide black-out that part of the problem it experienced in managing the downed electricity and restoring coverage, was directly linked to the large percentage of independent PV power suppliers connected to the grid.

We have been informed that currently, about 40 per cent of the power supply system comes from alternative energy sources rather than the traditional fuel-generated supply.

BLPC again took its concerns about the implications of the increasing PV component of electricity supply and the challenge to the company.

The power company contended that in a few months, it expects to have reached or exceeded its PV capacity. As a result, it has applied to the FTC under the Clean Energy Transition Rider to recover the $600 million it will have to spend over the next five to seven years to invest in batteries and related technology in order to keep the lights on in this country.

Chief Executive Officer of BLPC, Roger Blackman told the media: “As of the end of September, we had 89 megawatts installed on the grid and with it growing at the rate of two megawatts per month, . . . you are going to have to get increased battery storage on the network to manage that intermittent impact that the PV is creating.”

At the same time, we know that intervenors in the last rate increase application by BLPC will question why should consumers have to foot the bill of $600 million for the power company to purchase batteries to back up the PV infrastructure.

The BLPC boss has put it this way: “The value of half of the batteries alone that are required to get us to 2030 is equivalent to half of the value of the Light & Power Company.”

For all intents and purposes, it is difficult for Miss Brathwaite from Eagle Hall to reconcile why power generated from the sun, free of cost, would be an issue for a power supply company.

It really is high time that the BLPC and the Government of Barbados explain, in simple terms, why we seem to be at cross purposes on the issue of alternative energy, as well as the role and future of the BLPC in the national plans.

Our leadership has been travelling around the world extolling the virtues of clean energy and touting this country’s goal of achieving 100 per cent carbon neutrality by the year 2030.

Rather than something we should applaud, it appears as though the 2030 renewable energy goal is shaping up to be a millstone around our necks.

This is not what we expected, and someone needs to explain why.