Presenter: Aidan Rogers. Attorney-At- Law President – Barbados Renewable Energy Association

Topics for Discussion Regional Energy Crisis Current State of Renewable Energy Technology (RET) Legislative Barriers to RET Deployment Global and Regional Case Studies The Way Forward

Regional Energy Crisis Dependence on fuel imports Impact on regional economies ♦ Economic impact; ♦ Social impact;

Current State of RET What is RE and RET? ♦ Renewable energy (RE) - Any naturally occurring, theoretically inexhaustible source of energy, such as biomass, solar, wind, tidal, wave, and hydroelectric power, that is not derived from fossil or nuclear fuel. ♦ Renewable energy technology (RET) - devices that utilise renewable energy resources such as solar panels, wind turbines and bio-digesters.

Current State of RET cont’d Significant decline in cost of technologies Fastest growing sectors globally Region has a geographic advantage

Barriers to RET deployment Lack of political will Absence of clear legislative and regulatory framework Existence of monopolistic structures in electricity generation regionally Scarcity of financing options Lack of technical resources both in government and private sector Outdated grid infrastructure

Global and Regional Case studies ♦ Hawaii ♦ USVI ♦ Barbados ♦ BVI Legislative & Regulatory framework ♦ 1978 US Public Utilities Regulations Policy Act (PURPA) ♦ 2005 Amendment to (PURPA) to allow for Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)

Hawaii at a Glance Programme Successes & Lessons ♦ Long history of RE projects (hydro) under PURPA ♦ Several wind and solar farms ♦ World leader in island nation deployment of RET and regulatory approaches ♦ Ranked 2 nd for RE penetration per capita in the USA ♦ Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative - a viable model for island states ♦ Increasing adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles. ♦ Pitfalls associated with Avoided Fuel Costs

USVI at a Glance Programme Successes & Lessons ♦ Passage of Act 7075 in 2009 (Renewable Act ) ♦ Establishment of Renewable Energy Policy ♦ Establishment of a Net Metering Program ♦ RE Target of 60% by 2025 ♦ Tax concessions and incentives for the installation of solar water heater units ♦ Execution of 6 power purchase agreements (PPA’s) in June 2012 for solar projects totalling 18 Megawatts ♦ Completion of transportation fuel study ♦ Projected creation of 2500 green jobs

A Tale of Two Cities USVI BVI Approved Energy Policy 2010: 60 % RE by 2025 Act 7075 (2009 Renewable Energy Act) International NGO support from Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) Self generation permitted (Net Metering subchapter IV under Act 7075) Several approved utility scale RE projects Dedicated government Department responsible for RE No Energy Policy BVIEC Ordinance of 1978 Absence of International NGO support Restriction on self generation of electricity (sec 36 of BVIEC Ordinance) Absence of utility scale RE projects No dedicated government portfolio for RE

Barbados at a Glance Programme Initiatives ♦ Draft Energy Policy (2006 & 2010) ♦ Passage of the Electricity Power Act, 2013 ♦ Renewable Energy Rider Pilot Programme (2010 to present) ♦ Lucrative tax incentives and concessions ♦ Increasing Financing Options (Commercial Banks and Institutional Banks) ♦ Local NGO (Barbados Renewable Energy Association)

Is Barbados at the Crossroads? Uncertainty surrounding complete mix of RET options (wind, solar, biomass, waste to energy) Uncertainty over deregulation process largely due to the lack of a National Sustainable Energy Policy Diverging interests of utility company and government (Rate of Regulation vs. Decoupling) regulatory model Over reliance on revenue generation from the sale and distribution of petroleum products.

The Way Forward Creation of a robust investment environment to attract local and foreign investment Establishment of transparent Energy Policies and Legislative and Regulatory framework. Continued partnership with NGO’s such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Establishment of dedicated and fully staffed RE departments Enlisting of technical expertise for the selection of appropriate RET’s Increased public education via local NGO’s

Options for Sustainable Cities Expansion of Smart Grid, Smart Cities Infrastructure Introduction of Electrified Transportation Implementation of a comprehensive Fuel and Vehicle Miles Reduction Strategy – Park & Ride, Mass Transit and Traffic Free Zones Introduction of Urban Climate Controlled Greenhouses. Integrated Waste Management and Energy Generating Systems – Anaerobic Bio-digestion of household waste

THE END THANK YOU!!