How We Deliver Electricity
Light & Power delivers electricity directly to your home or business from our power plants through the numerous poles and cables lines throughout Barbados.
The Electricity Delivery Process
Light & Power’s transmission and distribution system consists of 150.2 km of transmission cables and power lines stretching across roughly 77,000 distribution poles (rated from Class 4 through Class 1), and 18 substations (12 are entirely underground-connected with redundant transmission links) to bring electricity from power plants to customers.
Electricity carried by transmission lines is sent through distribution substations and transformers that steps the electricity down to a lower voltage level that is safe for delivery to homes and businesses. 2,800 km of overhead distribution lines then carry the electricity to localized areas and connect to individual meters on homes and businesses. These distribution lines also power approximately 30,000 streetlights across the island. Some critical loads fed entirely by UG and directly linked to a power station are:
How We Generate Electricity
Light & Power’s electricity is generated from a variety of sources including fossil fuel, gas, and solar at a series of power plants, known as generating stations. These facilities are rated by the maximum amount of electricity they are designed to produce, measured in megawatts (MW) and known as generation capacity.
Our Plants
In total, the Company generates electricity from four (4) power stations. We also purchase renewable electricity from independent power producers throughout the country. Together, these sources make up what is known as our generation mix, which can change from year-to-year based on factors like fuel prices and environmental regulations.
Fossil Fuel Generation Plant
Spring Garden consists of fossil fuel burning plant:
At the Garrison there is:
At Seawell we have:
Photo-voltaic Solar Plant
The Company first utility sized photo-voltaic solar farm at Trents, St. Lucy. In fact, the solar plant is not only a first for Barbados, but for the Eastern Caribbean, and for Light & Power’s parent company, Emera Caribbean Inc.
Solar Plant Facts:
Independent Power Producers
There is an increasing amount of electricity is being generated in Barbados by producers other than The Barbados Light & Power.
Light & Power buys electricity from independent power producers who are now playing a role in helping meet Light & Power’s Renewable Energy Strategy.
There is a total 25 MW of distributed customer-owned solar photo-voltaics who produce power.