Minister: Government Solar Project On Schedule
Since the commissioning of two of the solar energy systems on Government buildings earlier this year, “it has produced 105,670 kilowatts of power resulting in approximately $42,000 worth of saving in electricity costs,” Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch said, adding that “the overall project is on schedule and is set to be completed within the third quarter of 2023.”
Speaking in the House of Assembly today [Dec 9] the Minister said, “I am pleased to provide an update to this Honourable House on the progress of the Solar Panel Installation Project on four Government Buildings.
“Colleagues may recall in November 2020 I provided this Honourable House with details of the Roof Top Solar PV Systems installation project under the Government’s capital expenditure stimulus plan at a cost of $2,880,599.
“As a reminder, this project encompasses the installation of roof-mounted solar panels on four key government buildings:
- 1. The General Post Office Building,
- 2. The Government Administration Building,
- 3. The Department of Public Transportation facility in Devonshire; and,
- 4. The Transport Control Department Building.
“With physical work commencing in 2021, I am pleased to report that the project is advancing apace – with the first phase of this project now completed. The General Post Office and Government Administration Buildings solar panel systems were commissioned on 20 June 2022. The two building systems are operating together and solar produced is reported collectively.
“Since the commissioning of the systems, between the months of July and November of this year, it has produced 105,670 kilowatts of power resulting in approximately $42,000 worth of saving in electricity costs. This places the system on target to effect annual savings of $100,800 per the projections.
“The overall project is on schedule and is set to be completed within the third quarter of 2023,” he added.
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide an update to this Honourable House on the progress of the Solar Panel Installation Project on four [4] Government Buildings.
Mr. Speaker, in the Government’s 2017 election platform just over 5 years ago, this Administration pledged to and I quote – “Take the lead in investing in the Green Economy by outfitting Government buildings with renewable energy generation technologies, enabling the Government to become a net producer of energy”. I can assure this house today…promises made, promises kept.
Mr. Speaker, colleagues may recall in November 2020 I provided this Honourable House with details of the Roof Top Solar PV Systems installation project under the Government’s capital expenditure stimulus plan at a cost of Two Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-Nine dollars [$2,880,599.00].
As a reminder, this project encompasses the installation of roof-mounted solar panels on four key government buildings:
- 1. The General Post Office Building,
- 2. The Government Administration Building,
- 3. The Department of Public Transportation facility in Devonshire; and,
- 4. The Transport Control Department Building.
With physical work commencing in 2021, I am pleased to report that the project is advancing apace – with the first phase of this project now completed. The General Post Office and Government Administration Buildings solar panel systems were commissioned on 20 June 2022. The two building systems are operating together and solar produced is reported collectively.
Mr. Speaker, since the commissioning of the systems, between the months of July and November of this year, it has produced one hundred and five thousand, six hundred and seventy [105,670] Kilowatts of power resulting in approximately Forty-Two Thousand dollars [$42,000.00] worth of saving in electricity costs. This places the system on target to effect annual savings of $100,800 per the projections.
Mr. Speaker, the overall project is on schedule and is set to be completed within the third quarter of 2023. The second phase out of three [3] has now commenced – this being the installation of panels on the Department of Public Transportation facility at Fort Langton. The anticipated commissioning for this phase is April 2023 with the energy that is produced being used to charge the electric buses.
In this current climate of supply chain issues, extended production times and increasing costs of projects – I am pleased to report that we are on schedule and on budget thus far but note that these issues may affect both timing and costs as we move forward.
Mr. Speaker, building on the success of this project and in support of the Government’s strategy to utilise alternative energy, the Department of Public Lands and Buildings issued a Request for Proposal [RFP] for the procurement of solar PV systems on an additional thirty [30] Government buildings on Friday July 8th 2022.
The submission deadline for proposals was October 21st 2022. The Ministry received ten [10] responses. Currently, those responses are being evaluated in accordance with the Code of Practice for Project Management and Procurement. Mr. Speaker, as always I will keep this House informed of progress.
As my honourable colleagues on this side of the aisle have consistently reiterated, this Government delivers on its mandate as promised to the people of Bermuda in reducing the cost of Government while also encouraging the use of alternative energy.
Higher electric bills equates to a higher operating costs of running the Government.
Higher cost of Government equates to higher taxes – and no one likes higher taxes.
Mr. Speaker, as I have said before, this project was forecasted to reduce the overall cost of utilities thus alleviating some of the burden on Government financials while also endeavouring to reduce our global carbon footprint. This is proof of that achievement and we will continue on this path to discover other means of reducing costs.
Thank you Mr. Speaker!
With all due respect you have not saved anything until the savings cover the cost of the panels, installation costs, engineering and planning fees, etc. I’m not suggesting that it’s not a good idea, I’m just saying we are not saving anything until we have recouped the 2.8 million. Additionally, since the BDA Gov accounts are empty and we are borrowing the money, the reality is that this $2.8 million will equate to $4 million+ by the time it is paid back. We got a lot of sunlight to catch before we can talk about money saved. We should have started with the BDA Gov merging offices, renting less space and doing more with it. They should have encouraged all building owners that are renting to government to switch all lights to LED. That would result in savings without spending a penny.
Government math to rationalize an unnecessary expenditure to feel good about saving the planet. Go figure!
You made excellent points. I would add that SHRINKING government would immediately reduce costs to taxpayers. Smaller government equals lower taxes on the over-taxed worker.
Col. you are the best. Like solar you are savvy smart and efficient. Keep doing what is for the betterment of our country Sir.
Solar is neither savvy, smart, nor efficient. Solar must be backed up by evil fossil fuels. BELCO incurs extra costs to balance and maintain the grid that is passed on to the consumer. I guess the Col works less on cloudy days and never works at night.
Going deeper into debt to finance solar panels is not a bright move nor for the betterment of Bermuda.