Antigua St. john's - Further information has been released on plans for wind power to become a reality in Antigua & Barbuda.
The following interview was obtained with Errol Bailey and Dave Moses and the C-Net/CLAYCO team.
Recently, "Wind Power coming to Antigua?" was published as an introduction to C-Net/CLAYCO and their Wind Power Generation Program they are initiating in Antigua & Barbuda.
This is the followup with Errol Bailey and Dave Moses and the C-Net/CLAYCO team to ask them some key questions to better understand this project and its benefits for Antigua & Barbuda. Check out our exchange...
Q1: How were you originally contacted about this need in Antigua & Barbuda ?
ANSWER: Errol Bailey with C-Net is a citizen of Antigua and travels back and forth to the island often on business and visiting family in the English Harbor area. He became aware of the significant economic and environmental struggle that both the government and people of Antigua have been dealing with for years concerning energy costs, energy production and the economic impact of such. C-Net/Clayco came to Antigua to learn more details of the specific issues and challenges from the government and APUA.
Q2: What was the 'direction' or mandate you were provided from A&B officials ?
ANSWER: It was fairly simply put to us frm A&B officials: "Can you develop a program to help Antigua reduce it's dependance on using fossil fuels to produce energy, hopefully lowering the costs of electricity to consumers and businesses and do it in a way that doesn't cause the government or utility to have to commit to any additional "out of pocket" costs." We said "YES".
Q3: What specifics of your program can you share at this time ?
ANSWER: Our program is broken into (2) phases……. Phase 1 would be to develop a 25 megawatt Wind facility which would be 'on-line' by the end of 2015. Phase 2 would add another 25 MW facility producing power by 1st quarter of 2018.
Q4: At this point, do you know how many wind turbines would be installed ?
ANSWER: Our preliminary engineering indicates that each phase would include (10) 2.5 MW turbines. Final engineering could modify the quantity slightly up or down depending on cost efficiencies and newer technology.
Q5: How would this integrate into APUA's existing power system ?
ANSWER: There is a lot of homework still to coordinate with APUA and the other existing power suppliers. That said, power production with fossil fuels would reduce, but never totally go away. We would need to develop a program that would integrate the renewable output on a "first serve" basis and use the current generating facilities for the balance of daily needs on the island as well as back-up for when the renewable plant is not able to produce enough power due to climatic constraints.
Q6: What are the economic benefits with on a program such as this ?
ANSWER: C-Net/Clayco's detailed analysis has shown each phase of the renewable plants would save over 500,000 US gallons of diesel fuel, PER MONTH. This fuels savings would cover the cost of our projected Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) and produce an additional US $20,000,000.00 annually by the time Phase 2 is on-line. The money saved could then be used for existing system upgrades/maintenance or other governmental obligations.
Q7: How would local employment benefit from these projects ?
ANSWER: Our goal would be to employ as many local citizens and businesses throughout the construction process along with developing a program in conjunction with APUA to staff the on-going operations and maintenance of the plants, once production begins. In addition, we plan on providing Renewable Power Education programs to assist the local businesses and citizens to better understand how to start implementing renewable energy resources into their everyday lives.
Q8: Do you see any negative environmental implications of these projects ?
ANSWER: No, quite the opposite. Our projects would reduce GHG (Green House Gas) emissions by an equivalent of over 150,000 barrels of oil per year. The lessoning of the oil requirement would also begin to lower the risk of future environmental impact from current oil production and distribution on the island.
Q9: What are the next steps for moving forward on this initiative ?
ANSWER: C-Net/Clayco have provided the administration with a Project Development Agreement for review by the Prime Minister and APUA which would start to establish a bi-partisan group to begin detailing many of the programs discussed and kick off the final engineering required to get the PPA established and project financing put in place. With the upcoming elections on June 12th, we understand that there are "more important" issues for the officials and citizens to decide on other than our "renewable program", but we anticipate getting back with into our discussions again in late June to advance our platform.
Q10: Are there other initiatives that could spring from this program ?
ANSWER: We certainly think so. We believe that as renewable energy systems are established and become more commonplace throughout Antigua & Barbuda and other Eastern Caribbean countries, that there are opportunities to create a "hub" for assembly and maintenance services that could be centered in Antigua & Barbuda and become additional sources for employment and economic benefit in the future.
Q11: Where would these wind turbines be located in Antigua ?
ANSWER: The exact location still needs some due diligence, but the A&B Government initiated a 3-year wind study a while back and data from that report indicates 3-4 potential areas for best wind generated results. Our team believes that a location in the Crabbs Pennisula area would be best for the first TWO phases of the project.
Q12: Are there any plans to initiate a renewable energy project in Barbuda ?
ANSWER: We have had some preliminary discussions about how best to serve Barbuda with renewable energy and the program will require more engineering studies to determine the best approach. Barbuda would have some interesting challenges from a location and distribution standpoint, but some type of solar or wind facility would certainly appear to make sense there.
Q13: Does your company also do solar projects, considering the sun is another limitless energy source here in Antigua and Barbuda ?
ANSWER: Absolutely , C-Net/Clayco would evaluate all types of systems with our engineering partners and try and arrive at the most cost-effective solution considering all aspects of the project and then determine which system or combination of systems will deliver the best results to the citizens in the shortest timeframe.
|
Q14: Approximately how many homes could be served through these first two phases of projects ?
ANSWER: We haven't analyzed this exact usage information for residences on the island, but if we assume that the average household in Antigua uses around 600-700 kWh/month or approximately 7800 kWh per year (the US is approx. 11-12,000 kWh per year/household), then by the time our second phase plant would be in production (first quarter 2018) renewable energy could be powering over 23,000 homes.
Q15: Thanks for much for this information. If A&B residents and community builders have more questions to ask about this program, could they contact C-Net/CLAYCO directly with such questions?
ANSWER: Please do. Errol Bailey of C-Net can be emailed here. Dave Moses Executive VP of CLAYCO can be emailed here.
Reporting by Caribarena news, publishing by Ofer Shaked.
Download Caribarena's Android App
Click To Download
16 Comments In This Article
RobbyB
Robby Breadner
@ John French II
Skyewill
@ confused
Skyewill
Towards The Antigua & Barbuda Electrical Energy Generation Revolution! PT4
John French II
Towards The Antigua & Barbuda Electrical Energy Generation Revolution! PT3
John French II
Towards The Antigua & Barbuda Electrical Energy Generation Revolution! PT2
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.
John French II
RE: Answers on Wind Power Plans
tenman
Towards The Antigua & Barbuda Electrical Energy Generation Revolution!
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.
John French II
Ugly
confused
@AJ and Pipes
NIMBY
This is a very good follow-up
AJ
Solar Power
pipes
Finally
NIMBY
I wish you the best of luck
The independent
Training/Education
wada
Great stuff Errol and Dave
Skyewill
RSS