As part of the IRP process, stakeholders were encouraged to submit their comments and queries on the Preliminary Results presented. To view our responses to the comments and queries from stakeholders, click on the links below

IRP – Responses to Comments raised at Preliminary Results Workshop January 29, 2013.pdf

IRP – Responses to Emailed comments on Preliminary Results – March 2013.pdf

These comments and submissions, along with the results presented at the Workshop, have been included in the IRP report.

Today BL&P submitted the IRP report to the Fair Trading Commission and now awaits the Commission’s response.

BL&P held a stakeholder session today to update stakeholders on the preliminary results of the IRP study.
A copy of the results can be accessed via the following link.

http://www.blpc.com.bb/IRP/Photos/PreliminaryIRPResults-ExternalWorkshop.pdf

Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments to the IRP team by February 12, 2013 via irp@blpc.com.bb

The IRP team wishes to inform stakeholders that the Technical Conference on results which was initially scheduled for October will now be held in mid January 2013. The date and time will be communicated shortly.

As part of the IRP process, stakeholders were encouraged to submit their comments and queries on the Assumptions presented. To view our responses to the queries and comments received from stakeholders, click on the links below

Responses to Emailed Comments
Responses to Comments raised at Stakeholder Workshop on August 14 2012

The following presentations has been updated based on stakeholder feedback and additional information from technology providers.

1. Demand Forecast Updated
2. Fuel assumptions Updated
3. Existing & candidate Plant Assumptions Updated

Work on the 2012 IRP continues with the draft Basic assumptions being released for stakeholder review.

1. Overview
2. Economic Assumptions
3. System Assumptions
4. Worlds & Scenarios
5. Planning Software

Note link each of the above to the corresponding file

We would encourage you to review the proposed assumptions. To give your input on these assumptions, please send your formal comments and queries to the IRP Team on or August 30, 2012. Input received will be formally documented, considered and the assumptions modified as necessary. In addition, formal responses to comments and queries will be included in the final report.

An Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Stakeholders Awareness Meeting was held on July 10th 2012.

Click here to access the presentation notes.

Click here for our IRP brochure

Click here for IRP Terms of Reference

On July 10, 2012, an awareness meeting will be held to inform individuals about the IRP process and how they could participate. For more information, view the documents below.

Public Invitation to Stakeholder Awareness Meeting

Agenda for Stakeholder Awareness Meeting

The target date for submission of the IRP to the FTC is December 2012.

° We have shared the Terms of Reference for the IRP with the  FTC and are keeping them informed throughout the process.

° The Commission's role in this process is to analyze and make  a determination on the appropriateness of the submitted plan.

° All comments, suggestions and concerns raised by participants will be recorded in a log and responses will be provided to the issues raised. Where appropriate, these will be taken into account in the study. All issues raised and the responses will be included as part of the final report.

»Interested persons can volunteer to be either an active participant or an Observer.

° Active participant - receive all information related to the development of the IRP; attend all technical conferences; and contribute to the development of the IRP

° Observer - receive updates and information during the development of the IRP and provide written comments where you think appropriate

° All comments, suggestions and concerns raised by participants will be recorded in a log and responses will be provided to the issues raised. Where appropriate, these will be taken into account in the study. All issues raised and the responses will be included as part of the final report.

° The study is seeking to find the best solution for Barbados and it is expected that the resulting plan will be the best one for Barbados, taking into account the available resources and all of the costs and benefits.

° Historically, BL&P has always approached capital expansion on a least cost basis. However, significant fluctuations in world prices of fuel have often masked the efficiency gains of the introduction of new plant and as a result customers may not always recognise the true benefits of these new plant installations.

° The IRP will allow customers and other stakeholders the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way in the decision making process that affects the price they ultimately have to pay for electricity.

° On completion of the IRP, financial forecasts will be prepared for the approved expansion plan and potential lenders will be invited to submit financing proposals.

° This is currently in progress. The development of electricity sales and demand forecast scenarios is an integral part of the IRP process. The forecasts will be BL&P's best estimate of future demand for electricity given the impact of customer, demographic, weather and economic factors. Forecasts will be prepared to provide a range of possible high-growth and low-growth load scenarios due to economic uncertainty and weather variability.

° BL&P has been monitoring renewables for some time. From a centralized perspective wind has been a cost effective technology but it has taken a long time for approval to proceed with the wind project at Lamberts and we are still in discussions with the land owner to finalise arrangements for the use of the land.

° We have been monitoring other technologies and our own solar initiative started over 10 years ago with our first grid tied photovoltaic system being installed at the Seawell Generating Station.

° Two years ago, we started a pilot programme for customer owned PV solar systems to interconnect into our system.

° As the price of PV systems continues to fall and Government is providing incentives to encourage their installation, they are becoming more cost effective for customers to install on their homes. While it may not be appropriate for BL&P to compete directly with other private sector companies to install these on customers' homes, our parent Company LPH, is working on this option.

° Renewables will play an increasingly important role in the energy mix for Barbados in the future and we will continue to work with Government and our customers to find the right energy solutions that will work in the interest of all Barbadians.