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Antigua and Barbuda Turns to RenewableEnergy

Posted on Oct 16th, 2011 with tags americas, Antigua, Barbuda, energy,

News by topic, renewable, turns.

Tourists seeking a Caribbean escape in the high-end resorts andsecluded beaches of Antigua and Barbuda may soon be sunningthemselves in a hotbed of renewable energy sources if all goesaccording to plan.

Unusually exposed to turbulent energy prices by virtue of their small size,reliance on fuel imports and economic dependence on energy-hungryvisitors, these former British island colonies are developing a new energy

policy that aims to harness the power of the sun, wind, sea and waste.

They also hope to educate the islands 88,000 inhabitants on the virtues ofcutting consumption and combating the impact of climate change. No onesays it will be easy on islands where 80 percent of GDP is derived fromtourism, with its mint juleps on ice, air conditioned rooms and clean towelsdaily.

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But the stakes are high. Caribbean islands are particularly vulnerable toexpected climate impacts including rising sea levels that threaten sea-frontdevelopment, higher temperatures that can drive away tourists, boosts inhurricane activity and growing pressure on limited natural fresh watersupplies.

That is one reason the government is now arming itself with studies andcarrying out consultations as it prepares to launch a new energy policy thatwill include renewable sources in the national electrical grid.

The ultimate goal is the provision of reliable and affordable energyservices to all people in Antigua and Barbuda,Ambassador JoanUnderwood, a senior official in the prime ministers office, said in atelephone interview.

The islands also aim to create policies that will improve energy efficiencywhile reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy andcurbing the islands fiscal deficit, said Diann Black-Layne, thegovernments chief environmental officer.

The effort has international backing and some precedents. An earliercampaign to introduce energy-efficient light bulbs and a wind power

project was funded by the government of Cuba.

EFFICIENCY AND COMPETITIVENESS

One major motivation to increase renewable energy use is the high cost ofcooling the islands many visitors with fans and air conditioning units,

particularly as current fuel and electricity prices are among the highest inthe region.

The government projects 3 percent annual growth in demand for electricityin the tourism sector an estimate that does not factor in any increasesresulting from warmer temperatures linked to climate change and is basedsolely on anticipated increases in numbers of visitors.

To remain competitive in the global market, the government believes itsneeds to find ways to reduce energy costs.

But the country lacks regulations to foster development of renewable

energy technologies, improve the efficiency of non-renewables and takeadvantage of emerging technologies, officials say.

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The government hopes to fix that with its National Energy Policy, a firstdraft of which was released in January, and a parallel Sustainable EnergyAction Plan that will bring the government into an arena until now largelyoccupied by NGOs.

Antigua and Barbuda is endowed with some renewable energy sourcessuch as solar, wind, waste to energy and marine energy,Underwoodsaid. These resources may have the potential to provide Antigua and

Barbuda with an alternative and more sustainable energy supply andreduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Another legislative initiative, the National Energy Education Act, aims toretool local and regional academic institutions as centres for research,education and workforce training in energy-related fields. A pair of

engineers for the Antigua Public Utilities Authority have already receivedtraining in the use of solar power in buildings and desalination technology,officials said.

The utility also has signed a memorandum of cooperation with GansuNatural Energy Research Institute of China, which has promised technicalassistance.

The government has some concerns about the relatively high up-front costsof switching to renewable power, and about its reliability.

Alternatives for energy generation such as solar remain costly,invariably require back-up conventional power sources, and have onlylimited access to technical capabilities for servicing and maintenanceBlack-Laayne warned.

But the government already has pushed ahead with a few small first

efforts, including a grant to install solar-powered lights at Shirley HeightsLookout, a popular tourist spot, and energy audits at facilities including theprime ministers office.

By reducing energy consumption in the public sector, we will be freeingup scarce financial resources,Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer told anews conference. The savings realised by introducing energy efficiencymeasures in the public sector can and will be dedicated to improving our

schools, our hospital and clinics, our roads and the various other social

services which the government must provide.

By Onika Campbell (trust)

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