Sam Duncombe
06-02-08, - 09:56 AM
May 30th, 2008 Support Holds For Renewable Energy By Tameka Lundy
With fresh fears expressed that the cost of a gallon of fuel could reach $6 by the middle of the summer and consumers suffering the effects of what some have called a crisis, support appears to have grown for non-traditional energy sources. The Bahamas Electricity Corporation [BEC] has taken a critical step in the direction of renewable energy, recently issuing a request for proposals from entities and firms interested in providing the service.
Although admitting that renewable energy is not a panacea for the current crisis spawned by exorbitant oil prices, the Chief Financial Officer of Cape Systems in Eleuthera Christian Henry believes it’s a critical step in the right direction.
Mr. Henry told the Bahama Journal from his office in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera that it would welcome collaboration with BEC towards The Bahamas becoming independent of the typical oil generated energy.
“We consider this request for proposals… a step in the right direction. The Bahamas has an abundance of natural resources and it could make use of the natural resources that it has,” he said.
“It is very encouraging that the steps taken shows the willingness to take responsibility and lay the groundwork for future action.”
Cape Systems started out as a campus for scientific research for aquaculture and other natural sciences. It has developed into an operation that also explores renewable energy and utilizes biodiesel as an energy option.
The campus runs off 10 kilowatts of wind and 40 kilowatts of installed solar panels set up through a grid system. The arrangement supports between 80 and 85 percent of the operation’s energy needs, Mr. Henry said. That is in addition to installed energy efficient appliances, lighting and building design.
Earlier this year, Cape Systems officials were in discussions with decision makers on how to move the island of Eleuthera to the point where it could end its oil dependence by the year 2030 through the Freedom 2030 challenge. Officials want to spread their vision to encompass the entire country.
“This is not a panacea it is not going to solve all of the problems…,” Mr. Henry said. “But it’s a long term learning process and it’s an essential place to begin.”
“There may come a day when the price of oil does not even concern us, but unless action is taken the national security and the ability of The Bahamas to remain economically viable is influenced very much by the price of oil, so action must be taken.”
He said The Bahamas has been blessed with natural resources of which it can take advantage. Cape Systems has also been making biodiesel from used cooking oil which it uses to run its diesel powered vehicles. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oils and animal fats through a chemical process called transesterification.
This week, the government took what it considered a major step towards driving down the cost of electricity in The Bahamas; but the measure is temporary.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced as part of his 2008/2009 budget that the government will approve a two year suspension of customs duty of 10 percent and stamp duty of 7 percent on BEC’s fuel imports to address the rising cost of the utility surcharge which currently includes the 7 percent stamp tax.
Meantime, Mr. Henry said there is no excuse for delaying discussions to explore and make provisions for other energy options.
“Steps towards energy independence must be taken. The Bahamas is faced with a decision to take forward action on these issues,” he said.
On Wednesday, crude oil settled at $131.03 a barrel, but oil prices had fallen as low as $125.96 a barrel during the day. Last week, the price was above $135 a barrel.
From pizza parlours and bakeries to ice cream deliveries and travel, the cost of oil has spread its tentacles to affect just about every consumer, especially those in the lower and middle classes, leaving them yearning for relief.
That is the picture that US Senators sought to convey when they recently hauled five big oil company executives before a special panel and grilled them about the high price of oil.
In The Bahamas, the cost of gasoline is well beyond the five dollar per gallon mark, while energy bills continue on a steady climb and increasing airline costs have left some Bahamian citizens rethinking travel plans.
With fresh fears expressed that the cost of a gallon of fuel could reach $6 by the middle of the summer and consumers suffering the effects of what some have called a crisis, support appears to have grown for non-traditional energy sources. The Bahamas Electricity Corporation [BEC] has taken a critical step in the direction of renewable energy, recently issuing a request for proposals from entities and firms interested in providing the service.
Although admitting that renewable energy is not a panacea for the current crisis spawned by exorbitant oil prices, the Chief Financial Officer of Cape Systems in Eleuthera Christian Henry believes it’s a critical step in the right direction.
Mr. Henry told the Bahama Journal from his office in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera that it would welcome collaboration with BEC towards The Bahamas becoming independent of the typical oil generated energy.
“We consider this request for proposals… a step in the right direction. The Bahamas has an abundance of natural resources and it could make use of the natural resources that it has,” he said.
“It is very encouraging that the steps taken shows the willingness to take responsibility and lay the groundwork for future action.”
Cape Systems started out as a campus for scientific research for aquaculture and other natural sciences. It has developed into an operation that also explores renewable energy and utilizes biodiesel as an energy option.
The campus runs off 10 kilowatts of wind and 40 kilowatts of installed solar panels set up through a grid system. The arrangement supports between 80 and 85 percent of the operation’s energy needs, Mr. Henry said. That is in addition to installed energy efficient appliances, lighting and building design.
Earlier this year, Cape Systems officials were in discussions with decision makers on how to move the island of Eleuthera to the point where it could end its oil dependence by the year 2030 through the Freedom 2030 challenge. Officials want to spread their vision to encompass the entire country.
“This is not a panacea it is not going to solve all of the problems…,” Mr. Henry said. “But it’s a long term learning process and it’s an essential place to begin.”
“There may come a day when the price of oil does not even concern us, but unless action is taken the national security and the ability of The Bahamas to remain economically viable is influenced very much by the price of oil, so action must be taken.”
He said The Bahamas has been blessed with natural resources of which it can take advantage. Cape Systems has also been making biodiesel from used cooking oil which it uses to run its diesel powered vehicles. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oils and animal fats through a chemical process called transesterification.
This week, the government took what it considered a major step towards driving down the cost of electricity in The Bahamas; but the measure is temporary.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced as part of his 2008/2009 budget that the government will approve a two year suspension of customs duty of 10 percent and stamp duty of 7 percent on BEC’s fuel imports to address the rising cost of the utility surcharge which currently includes the 7 percent stamp tax.
Meantime, Mr. Henry said there is no excuse for delaying discussions to explore and make provisions for other energy options.
“Steps towards energy independence must be taken. The Bahamas is faced with a decision to take forward action on these issues,” he said.
On Wednesday, crude oil settled at $131.03 a barrel, but oil prices had fallen as low as $125.96 a barrel during the day. Last week, the price was above $135 a barrel.
From pizza parlours and bakeries to ice cream deliveries and travel, the cost of oil has spread its tentacles to affect just about every consumer, especially those in the lower and middle classes, leaving them yearning for relief.
That is the picture that US Senators sought to convey when they recently hauled five big oil company executives before a special panel and grilled them about the high price of oil.
In The Bahamas, the cost of gasoline is well beyond the five dollar per gallon mark, while energy bills continue on a steady climb and increasing airline costs have left some Bahamian citizens rethinking travel plans.