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**Robby Breadner** » 2014-06-09 11:46

Wind and solar are a great combination of alternative sources. They complement each other very well. It still surprises me that people see them as ugly considering how ugly fossil fuel generation is: oil spills, storage, toxic land etc... The training is not doable online. This is a perfect opportunity for 21st tech training to come to Antigua. Once it takes hold, it can be incorporated into the Antigua post-secondary curriculum and could well become a hub for other islands' students to arrive for training.

**Skyewill** » 2014-06-09 03:25

Always staying ahead of the curve. Checking, checking and checking. Did I not say: You got to keep your eye on Codrington? What you think I am joking? There will be tons of issues. Some will be confiscation of intellectual properties, competing against the oligarchs will be a real beach and me want piece "arnda de table". Keep in mind that land is not an issue but getting a PPA will be.

**Skyewill** » 2014-06-09 03:09

Ask Aruba they will be off oil based fuels by 2020. A mix of wind, solar and LED would be the best cost savings.

**John French II** » 2014-06-08 22:46

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! Quote:

Hence the turbines & solar farms can be located away from the population centre; the electricity produced can be transmitted to the centres & the periphery of Codrington without interfering with the tranquil environment that Barbudans enjoy.
The ABLP intends to enter an agreement directly with the Chinese for credits towards a renewable energy plant to replace the failed Wadadli Power Plant that was negotiated by the UPP for US$52.5 Million. This arrangement will not be done through any third parties such as the German company with which the UPP had a deal.
Wind Power.
Wind power technology has also been refined & modernised making it possible for its introduction in A&B as a supplement to the delivery of energy by traditional fossil fuels & solar power. The ABLP intends to integrate all three sources of energy to bring down the cost of electricity for homes, businesses, hotels, and manufacturing. Timelines:
Within 120 Days. ... ensure that APUA issues a transparent Request for Proposals (RFP) for renewable energy by wind & photovoltaic (solar). The RFP will target transitioning 10% of the total energy generated for A&B by July 2016.
Within 150 Days. Introduce a Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) for distributed renewable generators including Roof-top Solar and small wind turbines. ... By 2019 reduce the cost per kilowatt-hour by 15% when compared to the present cost of electricity... ABLP

**John French II** » 2014-06-08 22:38

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! Hopefully will not attempt any commentary on the ABLP & UPP Manifestos & Charters. Quote:

Wind Turbine Energy: Transforming and revolutionizing the energy sector by installing a wind farm to generate electricity by wind turbines, and a bank of Solar Voltaic Cells to transform sunlight into electricity. Barbuda will become the only significant island community that derives all its required energy from renewable environmentally friendly methods. Discussions have already begun to secure Cuba’s technical assistance for this project. UPP 2009 Manifesto.

and today Quote:

Barbuda. Installation of a wind farm for electricity generation. Transform sunlight into electricity by installing a bank Solar Voltaic, making Barbuda the only significant community to derive al its energy from environmentally friendly methods. Accelerate the establishment of a joint Consultative Committee headed by the Prime Minister to supervise and monitor. UPP 2014 Manifesto.

Sincerely hope that all was captured. If not would appreciate someone providing. With the advance of years, the eyes have difficulty focussing on the fine print. Quote:

Elements of The ABLP Plan For Energy. Beginning In Barbuda.
The ABLP will begin its renewable energy project in Barbuda. Its population is largely concentrated in Codrington or within a four mile radius, leaving more than 58 square miles largely uninhabited.

Continued.

**John French II** » 2014-06-08 22:27

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! Pipes & AJ: Wind Harvesting is being carried out in Aruba, Curacao, Cuba, The Dominican Republic with a very ambitious program, Guadeloupe some 30 miles from A&B, Jamaica, and in the North Sea off Denmark one of the most inhospitable areas in the North Atlantic where stormy weather and the extreme saltiness of the air present particular challenges.
There is one billion dollars available to Caribbean Countries should they decide to seriously engage with Renewable & Green Energy.
That both ABLP and UPP are Intent on some form of wind harvesting is to be encouraged. That ABLP has a focus on Barbuda is creative and action oriented. This mere voice in the wilderness would suggest that this be a Pilot Project before commencing the Antigua Initiative. UPP’s direction is Barbuda. Seems like they have shelved The NEP given the WPP & APC Fiascos and either the demise or divestment of APUA
This commenter has encouraged closer political and economic ties with Montserrat. That country is has the potential to generate electricity from thermal energy. The population on Montserrat will not grow significantly in the future. It lies again some 30 miles off our shores. If we are visionary and creative, there is a sure source to tap not only for electricity but also for Politics, Economics, Trade, Social Cultural & Technology.
What follows next is provided for those who wish to know where the Parties are on Green Energy.

**tenman** » 2014-06-08 22:22

Windpower is the best alternative. Solar is still too expensive. I really don't see the courts forcing to government to honor an agreement which would put them in a bad financial position. Yes apc would need to be compensated. in addition we seem to forget that the Antigua & Barbuda public has equity in those apc controlled plant since it'd it's a boot arrangement.

**John French II** » 2014-06-08 22:21

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! The Discourse at The Amofah Market at the Bridge was subdued. Some rested, visited their churches, mosques, Nyahbingi houses, & synagogues, Shiva & Buddhist Temples. Some like mi gud fren Dessalines went swimming & fishing. Some joined the Motorcade. The Coromantees & Maroons in the Sherkerly Mountains stood guard in their farms. The Gruff Voice Chef saw the handwriting on the wall when not even the limers should up for his Urli street party. Some staunch monarchists wended their way to hear King George deliver the Ten Land Marks OF Progress For Pathway To The New Society as written in the UPP Gospel.
Skyewill: Due Diligence is Required on C-Net & CLAYCO.
Wada: Agree with your emphasis on Training & Continuous Education. If both ABLP & UPP are serious, this should be a must for school leavers and other interested technicians.
The Independent & NIMBY: ABLP Manifesto lays out the Pathway, Structure and Timelines. The Investors now have the framework and should be prepared when the RFP is released. Everyone is encouraged to revisit the APC agreement with GoAB.

**confused** » 2014-06-08 20:36

Has anyone on Antigua actually seen one of these wind turbines? They are over 100 feet high and have huge blades. The picture above is taken from a distance and only shows the top portion. Why would an island tourist destination want to provide these ugly things as the first vision of the country when tourists are flying? Solar is a much better option.

**NIMBY** » 2014-06-08 17:50

Your concerns though valid should not deter the research and progression of wind energy. We should not have a mindset of solar versus wind, but should embrace all technologies. I am of the view that an eclectic mix of re technologies is what Antigua and Barbuda's future should be. We have an excellent wind resource for commercial wind power generation on land. Solar as well. The two can become of future if only we had the political will. Wind turbines can be built to withstand certain extraordinary wind regimes and the type of turbine chosen can certainly reduce the risk of damage due to axial forces caused by wind gusts. As far as aesthetics are concerned, I do believe that a revitalised economy that can attract small to medium manufacture as well as ecotourism is a well worth trade off. Your concerns are valid and should be explored carefully so that we obtain the best units that fit our climate.

AJ » 2014-06-08 16:48

But as I commented before, we still need to address the issue from the angle of our nation's susceptibility to the impact of hurricanes. I don't see anyone making any mention of this "elephant in the room". We can't just put any old thing up.

**pipes** » 2014-06-08 15:42

Solar power seems like the better option for Antigua, as windmills can become an eyesore to Antigua's scenic landscape. We also rarely have enough wind on island, ONLY out at sea. Up and down weather conditions make this very iffy, and these turbines have had limited success and failure in many other parts of the world. Kudos to these guys for their interest in Antigua, I wish them lots of success in transforming our energy product.

**NIMBY** » 2014-06-08 15:32

I too wish these investors well. However the most important hurdle has not yet been discussed and that is the APC situation. They have won an appeal in the courts and damages could be such that they must play a vital role to supply power to the grid. The addition of wind power has three major hurdles. Firstly the energy consumed would be a negative load in the grid meaning they will compete directly with APC to supply energy. Secondly depending on the existing contract between APC and the government, APUA may still have to pay APC if they do not purchase the contractually obligated annual amount, therefore making it difficult for consumers to reap the benefits of lower utility bills. Thirdly, one would have to consider siting these turbines somewhere other than crabbs peninsula because of grid stability issues. The increased capital cost due to infrastructural development may mean that utility rates may marginally decrease at best. It's a start in the right direction though.

**The independent** » 2014-06-08 13:02

I wish these investors the best of luck. The biggest challenge for any investor in large scale renewable energy projects in Antigua is not technical. Most RE technologies are now well developed and cost competitive with diesel generation. There is no disputing that. The challenge for these investores will be finding a willing and competent partner in APUA. Negotiating a power purchase agreement with APUA and navigating grid interconnection issues are likely to be early hurdles. Even with a power purchase agreement in hand and a functioning wind farm exporting power to the APUA grid, getting paid is likely to be the biggest challenge. Just ask WIOC, APC and Sembcorp; all suppliers to APUA who struggle with getting paid. If these investors are able to make their business case that work whether or not they get paid by APUA, then thy will do well.

**wada** » 2014-06-08 11:48

If we are serious about alternative energy, may I suggest interested persons commence courses or online training for these types of systems. It is all well that we can say locals will be involved, or get jobs but if we do not educate/train ourselves we will once again be left behind. Life is a bull to be taken by the horns, not to be taken from behind by the horns.

**Skyewill** » 2014-06-08 05:38

Errol Welcome home brother. And Welcome Dave and CLAYCO. Folks CLAYCO is a great company with REAL experience in this field. The idea of Wind power is probably the best option for renewable energy and Antigua to start off with. Master Codrington knew this when he built the 2 wind mills at Betty's Hope. You got to keep your eye on Codrington. This was the direction we should have went with instead of WPP, a fossil fuel burning piece of junk with 5 of the 6 engines DEAD on ARRIVAL. Thank you Errol for keeping us in your heart. NUFF RESPECT!

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