Offer to invest directly in renewable energy drive

Barbadians will soon be able to directly invest in renewable energy projects, as the government launches new financial instruments aimed at broadening public participation and helping citizens build wealth from the country’s ambitious clean energy transition to 100 per cent  renewable energy by 2035, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn announced in the Budget.

The government has partnered with financial institutions to create investment instruments that will allow ordinary Barbadians to own a stake in renewable energy projects through equity and debt participation.

“We believe that Barbadians should have a stake in the energy transition,” Minister Straughn said during the 2025-26 Budget presentation on Monday.

“The opportunities in this sector should not be limited to large investors. We are ensuring that the public has a pathway to participate and benefit.”

These investment options, which will be regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), are expected to offer higher returns than traditional savings accounts, giving Barbadians a direct stake in the country’s clean energy expansion.

Straughn noted that as renewable energy projects generate steady financial returns, these investments could serve as a sustainable wealth-building tool for individuals looking to grow their savings.

“With the current paltry returns on savings, we see this as an opportunity for Barbadians to grow their wealth while contributing to climate resilience,” he said.

He told Parliament that the government would also expand public-private partnerships in the energy sector, allowing individual investors to buy into projects alongside major stakeholders.

“We have already received strong interest from the private sector. At the same time, we are creating pathways for ordinary Barbadians to invest and benefit from the country’s renewable energy expansion, ensuring that the shift to clean energy is shared by all,” Straughn said.

He noted that the initiative aligns with the country’s push towards energy independence, reducing reliance on fossil fuels while ensuring that citizens—not just corporations—profit from the clean energy transition. (SM)