Through solar and storage projects, national energy buildings audits, and solar training programs, The Bahamas is showcasing how clean energy can make the country more resilient and energy independent, while slashing energy costs — and how to plan for scale.
Yesterday, The Bahamas held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate tangible strides toward bolstering through solar and battery storage energy systems at three primary schools that also serve as emergency hurricane shelters to the community of Abaco. Recently named 2023 "Best Energy Resilience Project" in the Caribbean, the systems supply the schools with an average of 90% of their daily energy needs. In addition to the Abaco primary school initiative, The Bahamas'' efforts to scale clean energy access through a newly launched solar and energy auditing training program to build local skills and expertise were highlighted at the ceremony.
Given The Bahamas'' geographical location, it is incredibly susceptible to climate change impacts today, including increasing severe hurricanes and sea level rise. Traditional fossil fuel-based systems work against the nation as gas and oil must be shipped out to various family islands with small populations, making it difficult to transport fuel, necessary to power critical services such as pharmacies and hospitals, during extreme weather events. Furthermore, the Abaco Islands were severely impacted by Hurricane Dorian in 2019 as more than 75% of homes were damaged and 60 lives were lost (out of the 70 total for the entire country).
The Abaco community is still rebuilding, and these primary school "resiliency hubs" are a momentous step forward in helping instill confidence in the community for the next large storm and during routine outages, explained Deborah Clarke, Principal at Man-O-War Cay Primary School. "Since having the solar system, one night, when all the power was off on the Cay, I looked across the road and there was our beacon of light sitting right there in our school," she shares. "Our school had light because of solar energy with battery energy storage — it allows life to continue."
The following Abaco primary schools were a part of the project, made possible with support from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Rotary Bahamas Disaster Relief, and our local technical partners, Ministry of the Environment & Natural Resources and Compass Solar.
The ribbon cutting was held at Central Abaco Primary School with 50 faculty members and over 400 elementary age students.
"We are here today to remember what was lost [from Hurricane Dorian] and to celebrate a new era in the lives of Abaconians. With the installation of these solar and battery back-up systems across these Abaco schools, we are indeed moving into a new future, a new day." said Bahamian Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. I. Chester Cooper.
EPC contractor, Compass Solar and its lead, Philipp Feller, noted that while solar energy is gradually becoming integrated in Bahamian households, businesses and now schools who recognize technology as cost competitive and having long-term impacts on growing energy costs, solar is still seen by most citizens as a luxury.
"Using diesel instead of investing in solar to power our schools and homes, as we know by now, is detrimental to the environment. Further, installing solar is a smart investment with huge dividends, and companies and solar consumers are doing their part to close the educational gap," Feller said.
In efforts to expand clean energy impact, last month the government, with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and alongside RMI as a GCF Readiness Delivery Partner, launched a solar assessment and energy auditing training program to support 20 selected participants from Bahamian universities, the electric utility, and government in building the skills required to realize clean, resilient energy at scale. This capacity building initiative will prepare the cohort of Bahamian engineers, technicians, electrical contractors, and other professionals to actively participate in the country’s pursuit of its sustainable energy goals by providing them with training in solar PV assessment and energy efficiency.
"From piloting the region''s first-of-its-kind Category 5 hurricane-resilient solar power system in Ragged Island and a solar canopy at the national stadium to now expanding local clean energy participation with the solar trainings, The Bahamas is showcasing tremendous commitment and progress toward realizing energy resilience in a way that benefits all Bahamians," said Chris Burgess, RMI Islands Energy Program Director of Projects. "RMI has been proud to support efforts for the last eight years."
Tierney Sheehan, Communications Lead for RMI''s Islands Energy Program
T: 242.698.1871 or 242.465.4575
Compass Power is a turnkey EPC solutions provider for energy systems in the Caribbean. Its renewable subsidiary, Compass Solar specializes in commercial/utility solar and microgrid projects having completed +5MW of solar installations with a further 5MW under contract as the leading Bahamian choice for renewable EPC Projects. For more info: compass-power or visit us on social media.
Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) Vaughn P. Miller applauds a recent project that will bring renewable and sustainable energy to three Abaco schools.
He joined a slate of government officials and industry leaders at the recent unveiling and ribbon cutting ceremony of the Abaco Schools Microgrid Project, which will roll out to the tune of $700,000. The project oversaw the installation of solar panels and battery energy storagesystems at three Abaco schools – Central Abaco Primary School, Man-O-War Primary School and Great Guana Cay School.
"As a nation, currently dependent on imported fossil fuels for most of our energy supply, solar systems provide a meaningful alternative and a glimpse into the future of the Bahamas," Minister Miller said.
"These installations are a clear indication to all of what is possible. It has provided hope for a brighter tomorrow as we embrace a new way – a more climate resilient way of operating. We are truly grateful for this transformation." The Minister also used the opportunity to announce that the project has been recognized on the international stage, receiving the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) 2023, Energy Resilience Award.
"This winning installation has placed the Bahamas on the map. Our plans for renewable energy installation are catching the eyes of our regional partners and positively impacting the lives of Bahamians," he said.
Principal among the organisations and agencies that helped to facilitate the Abaco Schools Microgrid Project was the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). Minister Miller credited the non-profit organisation with being a major partner in the Bahamas'' transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy.
"They recognized the importance of such a venture and joined our efforts," he said. Minister Miller also highlighted the involvement of Rotary Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund and Compass Power for transforming the schools into energy efficient spaces that allow them to reduce their energy costs and create educational opportunities.
David Gumbs, Director of RMI''s Islands Energy Program, credited the Bahamas with taking an important step "to becoming more climate-resilient, green and energy independent through harnessing natural resources".
Gumbs also pointed out that the Microgrid Project, which was a collaborative effort between the Centre for Disaster Philanthropy, the Ministry of the Environment, and other partners, had "propelled the Bahamas into the forefront of the renewable energy and disaster recovery conversation".
"The completion of this project and recognition on the global stage is a true testament to this nation’s leading efforts in rebuilding communities stronger through the energy transition," Mr. Gumbs said.
He further explained that with the solar and storage microgrids at the three primary schools which function as ''critical facilities'' in the community, Abaco is not only ensuring consistent access to education for students through reliable and affordable power, but they will also act as emergency shelters for the community during hurricanes.
"RMI was proud to support this project from planning to the formal commissioning, both from a technical and logistical perspective, as well as fostering collaboration between government ministries, contractors, school faculty and students at each step of the way," he said.
"This project would not have been successful without the support of the Ministry of Environment, and the management of Compass Solar, responsible for the installations, and the staff and students of the three Abaco schools."
The installations at both the Central Abaco Primary School and the Great Guana Cay School were completed by the end of January 2023. The installation of the Man-O-War Primary School system commenced in early February 2023 and was completed by the end of that month.RMI has indicated that the three installations were inspected by Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) and the Ministry of Works & Utilities earlier this month and are expected to be fully certified. Certification will mean that the systems are now permitted to be put into full operation and sell power back to the grid.
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