Specialist Robert Goodridge is the new president of the Barbados Renewable Energy Association Inc. (BREA).
Goodridge is a renewable energy specialist with local and international certification in renewable energy with emphasis on solar photovoltaic systems and replaces Khalid Grant.
BREA staged its ninth annual general meeting (AGM) on Monday, August 15, and Goodridge was elected to the post following the address of the featured speaker, Senior Minister and Minister of Energy and Business Development, Kerrie Symmonds.
Goodridge actively participates in several local, regional, and international renewable energy forums including BREA, Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator, Island Innovations, Bloom CleanTech and SolarPower Europe.
He has developed an extensive network and partnership with key stakeholders in the local renewable energy sector.
Former Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Light & Power Company, Stephen Worme retained his position as vice-president, with Peter Gollop retained as treasurer and Rodney Greenidge elected as public relations officer.
The other members of the new Board are Andrew Lord, Gregory Blackman, Neilsen Beneby, Nicola Berry, and Aidan Rogers.
In his report, Grant stated that despite the ongoing pandemic and the war in Europe between Ukraine and Russia, BREA continued to make progress through the work of its five committees during the period 2021-2022.
He highlighted that BREA continued to listen to and advocate on behalf of its members on several key issues, including the power purchase agreements (PPA) for larger installations, the feed-in tariff (FIT) rate review, and the introduction of energy storage.
Grant reported that progress was maintained as BREA continued towards the country’s target to be carbon neutral in eight years.
As that inevitable challenge looms, Grant said the organisation will continue to engage with members and industry stakeholders to find and implement solutions.
(AR)
