Public Sector Smart Energy Programme (PSSEP)

    Public Sector Smart Energy Programme (PSSEP)

    As part of the drive to reduce Barbados’ dependence on fossil fuels, enhance security and stability in energy supply, improve the economy’s competitiveness, and enhance environmental sustainability, the Government of Barbados has established a Public Sector Smart Energy Programme (PSSEP) which is designed to promote and implement the use of viable Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) measures in the public sector.
    Project Details
    • Type: Energy
    • Investor: IDB and EU
    • Category: Sustainability
    • Value: BBD $56M
    • IDB: US$17 million
    • EU: €5.81 million
    • Status: Implementation
     
    Project Overview
     
    The PSSEP complements the Sustainable Energy Investment Programme (Energy Smart Fund I), which supported the achievement of the objectives of the Sustainable Energy Framework by private businesses and households in Barbados through a package of economic instruments targeting SMEs to address the main market failures that prevent the country from adopting RE and EE. Consequently, both the private and public sectors of the country will be actively contributing to the achievement of the overall objective of reducing the country’s fossil fuel dependency.
     
    The PSSEP is funded by two (2) of Barbados’ Development Partners – the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the European Commission (EC).  The IDB has provided resources of US$17 million (approximately BDS$34 million) under a loan agreement (Loan No. 2748/OC-BA), while the EC has provided Grant resources in an amount of €5.81 million (approximately US$ 7.664 million) under the 10th European Development Fund. The Grant resources are being administered by the IADB under Non-reimbursable Financing Agreement No. ATN/CF-13316-BA.
     
     
    The PSSEP is comprised of three (3) major components as follows:
     

    1. Component 1- Retrofit of government buildings with RE and EE technologies and public lights with EE technologies.

     
    o   This component will finance: (i) the retrofit of approximately 85% of public lights with EE technologies; (ii) the retrofit of at least twelve (12) government buildings with EE technologies; and (iii) the installation of solar PV systems on these government buildings.
     

    2. Component 2 – A pilot project and studies for encouraging the use of RE.

     
    o   This component will finance: (i) a fleet of government electric vehicles powered by RE sources to promote low carbon transportation technologies in Barbados; and (ii) studies culminating in a business prospectus to facilitate the construction and operation of an ocean power plant.
     

    3. Component 3 – Capacity building, institutional strengthening and public awareness.

     
    o   This component will finance the following subcomponents: (i) capacity building and training to upgrade professional and technical skills; (ii) upgrade of capacity within the Government of Barbados in all sectors related to sustainable energy; (iii) public awareness campaigns at all levels to promote sustainable energy, such as schools, universities, labour unions, and broader civil society; (iv) a Project Execution Unit (PEU) for the PSSEP in the Ministry, as well as software for data collection; and (v) the monitoring and evaluation of the PSSEP, including the data collection and analysis of the impact, outcomes and output indicators of the Programme.
     
    Key Outcomes
    The progress made to date is described as follows:
    • Retrofit of streetlights with LEDs – The contract for the supply of 37,250 LED streetlights was awarded to Caribbean LED Lighting Inc. The installation commenced May 2019 and is expected to last 18 months.
    • Retrofit with Solar PV – The contract for the supply and installation of Solar PVs on select government buildings was awarded to Solar Watt Systems Inc. on May 16, 2017. As at March 2020, the following installations have been substantially completed.
     
    Lot 1
    1. Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI)
    2. Ministry of Education, Science, Innovation and Technology
    3. Forensics Sciences Centre
    4. Frank Walcott Building
    5. National Housing Corporation
     
    Lot 2
    1. Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre
    2. Bridgetown Port – Old Mechanical Building
    3. Barbados Cruise Terminal
    4. Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation
    5. University of the West Indies (Sagicor and Clico Buildings)
     
    Lot 3
    1. Grantley Adams International Airport Inc. – Engineering Building
    2. Barbados Community College
    3. Barbados Coast Guard
    4. Government Procurement Department
    5. Government Analytical Services
     
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    Electric Vehicles Pilot Project – The Project Execution Unit has procured eight (8) electric vehicles.  The following government ministries and agencies are beneficiaries of the pilot:

     
    o   Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
    o  Ministry of Housing, Lands and Rural Development
    o   Ministry of Transport, Works and Maintenance
    o   Ministry of Environment and National Beautification
    o   Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training
    o   Ministry of Energy and Business
    o   Office of the Attorney General
    o   Barbados Defence Force
     

    Ocean Power Studies – The first study included the geo-referenced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps of the marine resources and current uses of the ocean space around the island. This study was completed in November 2015, producing a series of GIS maps featuring five datasets – (i) biophysical, (ii) jurisdictional, (iii) ecological, (iv) infrastructural and (v) space use – depicting Barbados’ used and unused ocean spaces.  These included: coastal engineering structures, marine habitats, fishing grounds, recreational areas and turtle nesting sites. Also, an Ocean Energy Roadmap for Barbados was prepared by an IDB-funded Marine Energy Specialist, who reviewed various ocean energy technologies and their suitability for Barbados. Out of this research, it was recommended that Barbados focus on Ocean Thermal Technology (OTECH) and Offshore Wind.

     

    Capacity Building, Institutional Strengthening – The Ministry has trained persons in various critical aspects required for the country’s new sustainable energy sector and hosted energy conferences and other educational events. These include:

    • 2013: Solar Electric Design and Installation; Energy Management; Energy Efficient Transportation and Bio-fuels; and Wind Power.
    • September 2017: climate-friendly urban transport development, in particular electric buses.
    • 2017 – 2019: Utility Regulation Energy Pricing.
    • March 2018: Energy Regulation at the VII World Forum on Energy Regulation.
    • 2019: Barbados Energy Conference.
    • 2019: Energy Expo.

    Additionally, the Ministry is undertaking a comprehensive needs assessment to inform further capacity building, institutional strengthening and public education efforts.

     

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