THE COUNTRY’S RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR, particularly wind and solar generation, has virtually ground to a standstill.
And Aidan Rogers, the head of the Barbados Renewable Energy Association (BREA), is blaming the situation on the absence of a national sustainable energy policy.
Rogers pointed out that the vexing problem has existed since May last year, and called for action to deal with the situation.
“The reality is if we’re now trying to craft that policy, we have to be very careful that we don’t fall behind the timeline we’ve set ourselves with respect to meeting our obligations,” said Rogers, who himself sits on the task force mandated to deliver the policy by monthend.
He was referring to targets set by the country to battle the effects of climate change.
Delivering the recent 23rd Annual Memorial Louis A. Lynch Memorial Lecture at the Grande Salle of the Central Bank, the attorney explained that the policy would guide the Fair Trading Commission on appropriate tariffs for energy produced via such technology.
While stating that Barbados appeared to be talking the talk, but not walking the walk, he drew attention to the high duties and taxes on hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicles, saying this has made them uncompetitive.
“At present Government collects more revenue by way of duties and VAT on electric vehicles in comparison to a comparable combustion-powered vehicle. That is a fact. It is almost 100 per cent in terms of extra revenue that they’re collecting.” (WILLCOMM)
