By Deanzer Roberts

In an unprecedented move toward energy sustainability, the Government of Barbados has allocated a record-breaking sum towards renewable energy initiatives. The budget for 2025 prioritizes investment in solar, wind, and alternative energy projects with the goal of making electricity more affordable and reducing the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Minister Ryan Straughn, in his budget address, underscored the urgency of reducing energy costs, noting that high electricity prices have placed a heavy burden on households and businesses alike. “This investment is not just about sustainability; it’s about energy independence and economic resilience. We are ensuring that the cost of electricity remains stable and predictable for all Barbadians,” he stated.

The renewable energy push includes a series of incentives to encourage households and businesses to transition to solar technology, including tax rebates, financing programs, and government-subsidized installations. Additionally, the government is investing in large-scale solar and wind farms, which are expected to significantly reduce the cost of power generation.

Through these efforts, the administration aims to lower national electricity costs by at least 20% over the next five years while significantly cutting carbon emissions. The program is also projected to create thousands of jobs in the renewable energy sector, from manufacturing and installation to maintenance and research.

With a long-term vision of becoming a leader in green energy innovation within the Caribbean, Barbados is positioning itself as a model nation for sustainability and climate action. Residents and business owners are encouraged to take advantage of government-backed energy-saving programs as the country transitions towards a more sustainable future.

Close to 1,300 delegates from 80 countries will assemble at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre over the next two days for the Sixth Sustainable Energy For All (SEforAll) Global Forum.

A number of high-level speakers, including Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, will address the meeting. In addition to various presentations and panel discussions, there will be two ministerial meetings, including one for small island developing states.

During yesterday’s press conference at the Hilton Barbados Resort to discuss the March 12 and 13 conference, Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, acknowledged the aggressive timeline on Barbados’ energy transition targets.

Senator Cummins stated: “The global emitters have put us on the frontline…  and we have committed to being part of the solution, not just for ourselves, but on behalf of all other small island developing nations, [and] on behalf of the developing world.

“We’re very pleased to be able to partner with countries from around the globe…this week, talking about how we can innovate, access financing on terms that are more suited to our development needs, and how do we have access to the goods and services that facilitate our energy transition.”

The Minister said youth would be participating in the forum and stressed that this was important as it allowed them to frame the future they wanted to be a part of, and not the one the older generation saw for them.

“Youth participation is critical, as we see it…. They have to have a seat at the table. They have to be a part of the process. And if they’re a part of the process now, … they can then put themselves in positions where they can lead….

“In the public sector in Barbados, and the energy sector specifically, we have grave difficulty attracting the kinds of skills among youth that we really need. They do want to work in the private sector, where wages and salaries are significantly higher, or they work for themselves,” Senator Cummins explained.

CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy For All and Co-Chair of UN Energy, Damilola Ogunbiyi, emphasised the importance of the forum, stating that energy is at the heart of economic growth. She noted that people could not develop without the right levels of energy.

“The story is bleak right now. If we continue at this pace, we will still have 600 million people without access to electricity at all, and we’ll have about 1.8 billion people without access to clean cooking fuels….

“We’re living in a world that is not equitable and it’s not just, and what we want to…make sure [is that] nobody is left behind…. You can’t get to climate positive or net zero in one country and leave the half of the world behind. We have to do it together, because they’re all interconnected,” Ms. Ogunbiyi underlined.

CEO of Formula E, Jeff Dodds, said Formula E was launched 10 years ago to create a world-class motorsport, accelerate the energy transition from internal combustion engine to battery electric vehicles, and show a different way to create sporting events from a sustainable perspective.

Mr. Dodds noted that back then, 300,000 battery electric vehicles had been sold in the world, but this year, between 17 and 20 million electric vehicles will be sold. He stressed that Formula E, which focuses on environmental and social sustainability, has about 400 million fans around the world.

“So, anywhere we race, first of all, the entire event is powered by renewable energy…, or in some cases, we take renewable energy from the grid, but the entire event is powered by it. Where we have to purchase carbon credits we buy them in the place that we race and focus on renewable energy.

“So, everything we do is focused on doing it in the most sustainable way possible…,” the CEO of Formula E said.

Mr. Dodds proffered the view that sport unlocks enthusiasm and dynamism, but regrettably the voice of sport was not being used to tell these stories for the next generation. He noted that he recently attended a motoring event with 12 global influencers and 700 million young adults.

“So, using sports and using their voices to tell these stories is incredibly important….  These conversations are being had less and less. So, using our voice to amplify these important messages is something we feel very strongly about,” he said. 

At the end of the press conference, Mr. Dodds presented Minister Cummins with a small token from Barbadian racing driver, Zane Maloney, who also competes in Formula E. (PR/GIS)

Caption: CEO of Formula E, Jeff Dodds, presents Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, with racing gloves from Barbadian driver, Zane Maloney, following today’s press briefing on the Sixth Sustainable Energy For All (SEforAll) Global Forum. Looking on are CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy For All, Damilola Ogunbiyi (left) and Formula E Vice President of Sustainability, Julia Pallé (right).

Barbadians at home and in the diaspora are invited to submit nominations for the Pride of Barbados Award 2025 for the parish of St. John, to the National Honours and Decorations Advisory Council, by Wednesday, April 30.

Nominations should be made via the links https://eforms.gov.bb/sc/prideofbarbadosaward – Pride of Barbados Award Portal https://eforms.gov.bb/f/pbastjohn – Nomination Form – St. John.

Section 19 of the Barbados National Honours and Decorations Act 2021 states the award of The Pride of Barbados may be conferred by the President in accordance with the Award of Pride of Barbados Act, 2019 (Act 2019-52).

The Pride of Barbados Award is given to a person who is a citizen of Barbados or entitled to be registered as a citizen, or a permanent resident, and through sacrifice, diligence, and dedication to service has made an outstanding contribution to community life in a parish, or to the improvement of economic and social conditions in a parish. 

These awards shall be conferred on persons who reside in a parish in Barbados and have been nominated by persons who live in the respective parish. They shall also be conferred on persons who formerly resided in a parish in Barbados but now reside abroad, and who are nominated by persons who reside in the parish or used to reside in the parish but now live overseas.   (PR/GIS)