Ministry ‘Encouraged’ By IRP Energy Plan
The Ministry of Home Affairs said they are encouraged by the publication of the Regulatory Authority’s Integrated Resource Plan [IRP], which calls for “high levels of renewable energy resources,” with the RA saying the plan includes adding utility-scale solar photovoltaic and wind power via an offshore wind farm.
A Ministry spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Home Affairs is encouraged by the publication of the Regulatory Authority’s [RA] Integrated Resource Plan [IRP]. This Ministry has worked hard to ensure that Bermuda is an environment where the expansion of renewable energy can thrive, and ultimately, lead towards a greener Bermuda.
“This is a promise made by the Government in its 2017 Platform which stated: ‘The PLP will work to protect our environment, usher in a new era of renewable energy which will reduce our cost of living, and reduce waste and litter in Bermuda.’
“In addition, the Government reiterated its commitment in the 2018 Speech from the Throne that: ‘Legislation will be advanced that provides greater powers to the Government to reduce the costs of electricity for the people of Bermuda…To increase the uptake of renewable energy, the Government proposes to increase distributed generation beyond the individual level, harnessing renewable energy for use on a community, commercial and utility scale.”
The Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban said, “I am pleased with the announcement and release of Bermuda’s first IRP. While there are elements of the IRP that reflect the Government’s commitment, the IRP also outlines a number of scenarios that the public should carefully consider as we all decide the course of our energy future moving forward.
“Bermuda has a long way to go before we can achieve a low-carbon energy future at a lower cost. It is important that everyone does their part if there is a desire by the people of Bermuda to reach this goal.”
The Minister continued, “To accomplish this, the Ministry has implemented a number of initiatives over the past two years that lend credence to both the plans laid out in the IRP and the Government’s commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and energy costs.
“The ongoing LED light bulb Exchange Programme, the recent MOU signing for the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme, the building of a 6 megawatt solar plant at ‘The Finger’ and an MOU signed with, and the resultant work undertaken by the Rocky Mountain Institute – are just a few of the projects we have implemented that will contribute towards the overall goal to diversify and sustain Bermuda’s energy mix. Government has additionally shown its support for the installation of renewables in its own buildings, such as WEDCO and the RFP produced by CedarBridge Academy”
In conclusion, the Minister stated, “We must all do our part to decrease our demand for fossil fuels and non-renewable electricity in Bermuda. This contributes to hundreds of millions of dollars leaving the country and unsustainable high costs of living and doing business. “ The IRP is not just a measure put in place for today or tomorrow, but for generations to come and allows every Bermudian to shape their energy future.”
“To view more of what the Ministry of Home Affairs is doing to decrease Bermuda’s carbon footprint and ‘go green’, visit www.gov.bm.”
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Category: All, Environment, News
without reading the article may i ask yet again The solar station for the “finger ” at the airport. Guess that’s a NO GO like many other initiatives they propose??? Trees and bushes getting bigger over there every day.
Still no idea what you are talking about, eh PePe Le Pew? The Airport Solar Project is currently under construction.
The question I want answered is where is the Government getting the funding to support the initiatives? Also, where are the supporting study documents that show the wind technology will be sustainable at 6 miles off shore. Along, with that what further land has been ear marked for the Solar farms needed to achieve the penetration mentioned in this report. With that there was little mention of battery storage for the solar option.
There was also no mention of what the KW pet hour cost would be when all of these initiatives are put in place. Just an observation.