BCEN calls for more focus to be placed on energy transformation

Executive Chairman of the Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network (BCEN), Maureen Holder, is encouraging government leaders, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders to look beyond immediate energy stabilisation and focus on broader energy transformation efforts.

​Speaking on behalf of the consumer advocacy group, Holder suggested that current discussions surrounding temporary electricity generation and system reliability should be viewed through a wider lens.

She said while the BCEN fully supports Barbados’ ambitious target to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and transition toward a cleaner, sustainable energy future, as a small island developing state it was particularly vulnerable to global fuel price volatility and climate change.

Holder said while making the shift to renewable energy was both a necessity and a positive step, she raised questions about the current path being taken.

​”The Barbados Light & Power company’s rented diesel generators are helpful for addressing immediate reliability concerns and keeping the lights on right now. 

“However, they do not resolve the structural barriers to a fully sustainable renewable energy future. It is important to distinguish between emergency stabilisation and actual transformation, as they serve different purposes,” Holder said.

She maintained that the core priority was modernising and strengthening the island’s electricity grid to successfully achieve its renewable energy ambitions by 2028.

​Holder explained that a true renewable energy transition involved more than installing rooftop solar panels or issuing new generation licenses. 

She said it required a modern, resilient, and technologically advanced grid capable of managing distributed energy resources, large-scale battery storage, smart technologies, and the natural fluctuations of renewable energy power.

​”Our research indicates that Barbados’ electricity network was originally designed around centralised thermal generation,” Holder explained. “Today, the grid needs to evolve to support a completely different architecture. The current reliance on temporary rental generation is best understood as a symptom of broader infrastructure transition challenges, rather than a long-term solution.”

​While acknowledging that temporary generation is currently a practical necessity to maintain system reliability and backup margins, Holder cautioned against letting stop-gap measures delay deeper structural reforms.

​”The key policy question is whether temporary generation is effectively serving as a bridge toward modernisation and renewable integration. 

“We want to ensure Barbados doesn’t become reliant on temporary fossil-fuel solutions because grid modernisation is moving slowly. Temporary generation alone cannot serve as a renewable energy strategy, and BCEN encourages accelerated investment in the infrastructure needed for long-term transformation,” Holder said.

To support this shift, Holder identified several key priorities for immediate attention, including grid modernisation — upgrading transmission and distribution systems, implementing smarter grid management, and improving voltage and frequency control.

She also stressed the need for battery storage through the deployment of large-scale energy storage systems to improve reliability, reduce diesel dependence and support higher levels of renewable energy.

Holder also called for a clear roadmap, urging the publication of a transparent, long-term energy plan detailing projected demand, renewable targets, storage plans, retirement schedules for older assets, financing and timelines.

“The consumers and businesses funding these transition investments through their electricity rates and Fuel Clause Adjustment charges would benefit from greater transparency,” she said. 

“They want to see how current spending aligns with Barbados’ long-term strategy. BCEN recommends that any continued use of temporary generation be clearly linked to measurable progress in grid upgrades and renewable integration.”

​Holder expressed appreciation for the vital role the Barbados Light & Power plays in this process, noting that successful modernisation requires collaboration involving the utility, the government, regulators, investors, and consumers. 

However, because consumers bear the ultimate costs, she emphasised the importance of transparency, clear planning, performance targets, and regular public updates.

​Affordability remains a central concern for BCEN, with Holder maintaining that financial accessibility needed to guide policy decisions.

​”Consumers are managing significant cost-of-living pressures and high electricity costs. For the renewable energy transition to maintain long-term public support and stability, it must remain financially sustainable. We encourage policymakers to ensure transition costs are transparent so consumers can see the direct benefits of their financial contributions,” Holder said.

​Holder maintained that Barbados has an excellent opportunity to become a regional leader in renewable energy. 

​”Temporary generation should be managed carefully as a bridge toward a modernised, resilient renewable energy system,” Holder said. 

“We look forward to seeing the government, regulators, the utility, and all stakeholders work together to move beyond emergency measures and accelerate the modernisation necessary to deliver a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future for everyone in Barbados.”

(RR)