The Clean Energy Bridge (CEB) Project

The Barbados Light & Power Company (BLPC), has in recent years, communicated its commitment to 100% renewable energy in Barbados through its 100/100 vision. This vision represents 100% renewable energy and 100% electrification.

While we look ahead, we are very aware of our responsibility to keep the lights on now and ensure that we maintain a high level of reliability to our customers, as we remain committed to powering every moment of your day.

Our Clean Energy Bridge (CEB) project represents another milestone in our island’s move towards 100% renewable energy by 2030, while demonstrating our commitment to strengthening our reliability levels to safely power every moment of every day.

The Clean Energy Bridge is a 33 MW medium speed diesel generation plant being constructed in St. Lucy – the heart of our renewable energy projects and the launch pad for the transition to 100% renewable energy.

The Clean Energy Bridge will allow BLPC to secure reliable base load generation while we transition the current generation mix to a cleaner solution. We believe the CEB will remain necessary as a backup for grid resiliency and reliability beyond the achievement of our national renewable energy targets.

Energy delivered from the Project will contribute approximately 27.1% of the annual energy requirement for Barbados. More specifically, this CEB project will:

• Provide reliable generation capacity while lowering the fuel bill and associated customer tariff
• Provide Barbados with diverse asset management plan options (reduce the demand on older generation assets)
• Overall, reduce energy costs for everyone

“To facilitate this transition and to maintain the levels of service Barbados is accustomed to, it is important that we replace these ageing units as the efficiency of these older units have declined. Here enters the Clean Energy Bridge, which will form that ‘stop gap’ between old and new units. The new units will be more efficient than the ones being replaced and we expect immediate fuel savings, which will be passed to the customer. This newer more reliable plant will positively impact the service we provide to the customers.” – BLPC’s Clean Bridge Project Manager, Dave Skeete

The Bridge will comprise four modular blocks, which will house Wärtsilä engines. The Wärtsilä engine, known for being efficient and for its overall emissions performance, weighs 83 tons and special arrangements have been made to transport these to site.

The fabrication of the tanks for the tank farm is in progress along with installation of structures other electrical work on site. Light & Power anticipates that this plant will be commissioned by end 2020.

To learn more about BLPC’s Clean Energy Bridge Project email stlucyproject@blpc.com.bb.