Project Overview
OVERVIEW
The need to address the destruction of much of Barbuda’s electricity infrastructure by Hurricane Irma (2017), was an additional stimulus to enhance the island’s resilience to hurricanes and other extreme climate events arising from global climate change; and improve the quality of live for the 1,500 people who call Barbuda home.
The project includes:
• installation of a new power station: a 720 kWp solar photovoltaic facility, an 863 kilowatt-hour battery storage system, and 800kW of diesel generation capacity to meet 100% of current daytime power requirements and ensure resilience and a stable electricity supply at night and other periods when solar power may not be available.
• relocation of the existing Barbuda power station to an inland site to reduce its vulnerability to storm surges and to allow a phased increase in solar and/or other renewable energy facilities.
The project seeks to maximize local technical, equipment and labour inputs and incorporate international standards of environmental sustainability and gender equity. It is estimated that 45 locals will be employed during the construction phase of the project, revenue will be generated by small businesses providing ancillary support services such as food and beverage catering and trucking; and approximately 15 persons will be employed full-time during the operational phase of the plant.
