RA Public Consultation: Offshore Wind Farm
As part of the next steps for Bermuda’s Integrated Resource Plan [IRP], the Regulatory Authority [RA], is “exploring new sources of clean energy in the form of an offshore wind farm and is inviting the public to hear about the preliminary results prior to making a decision.”
Nigel Burgess, Acting Chief Executive at the RA said; “The RA, the Ministry of the Environment & Natural Resources and Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme are pleased to present our research on offshore wind farms. The town hall meeting is an opportunity for the public to learn first-hand about the potential and possibilities that lie ahead BEFORE any decisions are made”.
The spokesperson said, “The presentation will give the public the opportunity to:
- Gain insights into Bermuda’s renewable energy future;
- Understand the environmental impact and mitigation measures;
- Share opinions, concerns, and ideas;
- Engage in meaningful discussions with experts and stakeholders;
- Help shape the direction of Bermuda’s sustainable energy strategy.
“Whether you are a resident, business owner, or simply interested in renewable energy, your input is vital. Help shape the direction of Bermuda’s sustainable energy strategy. Join us!
- Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2023
- Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Penno’s Wharf
“Prior to attending the meeting, interested parties are encouraged to:
- Complete the registration form.
- Download and read the documents on our Offshore Wind Farm landing page, and send any questions that you would like answered at the bottom of the registration form before June 26, 2023.
“For further information contact communications@ra.bm.”
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Category: All, Environment, technology
This should be fun. Check out other countries and the success, or lack of, and costs to produce electricity. Couple that with the cost to produce the blades, short life and the disposal of them in land fill. Hardly green.
The UK has just fired up 2 coal power stations to keep the lights on because of lack of wind, and too hot for solar to work efficiently. So much for cheap renewable eco friendly energy.
“cost to produce the blades, short life and the disposal of them”
When “Southside” was still NAS Bermuda one could often see lines (like clothes lines) with painted pieces of metal hanging on them. The Navy was testing paint in one of the most corrosive atmospheres they operated in, Bermuda!
Check out Rolls Royce in the UK who are developing small nuclear power plants. Or buy an obsolete nuclear submarine that could be moored at Morgan’s Point and power Bermuda and be a tourist attraction.
“Or buy an obsolete nuclear submarine …”
The Bermuda Government cannot maintain roads or traditional Bermuda buildings and you want to put it in charge of a nuclear reactor?
A nuclear power plant operated by Bermudians would probably make the N. Atlantic a no go zone for thousands of years.
They can’t maintain a one-year-old bus.
Some thoughts:
1. Every watt of wind turbine power must be backed up by evil fossil fuels. Where will the power come from when the turbines are shut down for maintenance, repairs, high winds, and hurricanes? News flash: Da wind don’t blow 24×7.
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! The evil fossil fuel backup costs are not factored into the project cost, CO2 “saved”, and other estimates. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
2. Not one Minister can even define “climate change,” let alone someone at the RA. But hey, keep saying it to dumb down the masses.
3. The CO2 produced to manufacture, transport, and install a wind turbine far exceeds any CO2 “saved” and the environmental damages caused. BTW CO2 is not an evil gas.
4. If we can save the life of just one bird from these chum-producing death blades, it will be worth not installing the turbines. How many bird deaths are acceptable to the Bermuda Audubon Society? (crickets)
5. Is the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), the firm that is pushing for banning gas stoves in the USA, that consulted with Aruba on their failed green energy initiative, that brokered Government’s Chinese electric bus deal, that is consulting with Government on going all in on EVs, also consulting on this project?
6. “The estimated total capital cost of the project is approximately in the range of $250m and $450m with a central case of $350m. An important clarification is that the costs at the margins of this range represent absolute best and worst case scenarios in our assumed ranges for CAPEX and future cost reductions. The presented costs are also inflated to 2030 terms.”
Really? $250m and $450m… Look at that HUGE cost range! What kind are the qualifications of the “experts” who came up with those numbers? +/- $100 MILLION from $350m, is a +/- 28.6% Margin of Error, which means the “experts” have no idea. +/- 10% would be reasonible but +/- 28.6% is a 57.1% spread – seriously! Imagine a home builder giving you a quote to build a home with a price range of $250,000 to $450,000. Sign me up!
7. In the US, wind turbine site surveys off the coast of NJ are associated with the deaths of protected marine life like whales. If we can save the life of just one sea creature from these death traps it will be worth not installing the turbines.
8. Wind farm “capacity” is nowhere near the MW of what would actually be produced. Capacity is NOT generation. I repeat. Capacity is NOT generation. Your car has the ability to go over 100 mph, what is the reality?
9. The Levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) calculation is a joke. Studies have shown that wind speed is declining worldwide.
a) Declining wind speed is not factored into any calculations in the document.
b) Whoever owns this development will have a guaranteed income stream off the backs of Bermudians regardless if the wind is blowing or not blowing. Not factored into the LCOE. Remember the PLP outrage over the airport guaranteed income?
10. Government is broke and Bermudians are struggling. Where will the money come from to pay for these bird chum-producing monsters?
11. “In our view, the potential for offshore wind in Bermuda should be explored for the sake of air quality, energy security and decarbonisation.”
So why are the RA employees who believe in this not paying for the project out of their own pockets? Why are green groups like Greenrock not paying for this project or raising the money?
Everyone hop on the “green” electric buses! Oh, wait. The bus routes were canceled for undisclosed reasons.