Energy - by what method?
As civilization grows and expands, there is a constant need for
increased energy and water supplies. Water is the more important of
the two, but is less glamourous, and the perception exists that there
is plenty of it. At least, many persons on Abaco believe this.
The suppliers of water and electricity expand their facilities as
their customers demand more. Agencies complain about the costs and
hardships incurred in expanding their systems and the increased cost
of fuel to make more electricity or supply more water.
However, this is government’s paradox as they build bigger plants but
then complain loud about the additional fuel that is required. But
there are accepted methods, systems and technologies that, if
implemented, would reduce BEC’s fuel requirements with no reduction in
the quality of life for its consumers. Phasing in accepted
conservation methods would save government and BEC many thousands of
dollars each year in fuel expenses and allow residential and
commercial expansion to occur with smaller demands on the utility
systems.
There is no concerted effort in The Bahamas to reduce the demands on
either of these two utility systems by accepted conservation methods.
For example:• Converting to solar water heaters would save thousands
of barrels of fuel now used to heat our water. Government or BEC must
use its foreign exchange to buy the fuel to heat our water.
• Requiring low flow toilets and other water conserving appliances
would save thousands of gallons of water annually.
• Requiring compact flourescent bulbs would save additional thousands
of barrels of fuel.
• Restructuring the import duty on vehicles to favor smaller and more
fuel efficient engines would lead to reduced quantities of fuel being
imported.
These are just four of many conservation schemes that would reduce our
dependence on imported fuel, yet they would not materially change our
level of comfort. These are all well proven conservation methods
world-wide.
Furthermore, encouraging those so inclined to produce their own power
by solar panels or other methods and be able to sell any surplus to
BEC would see a great interest in residential production of
electricity. The method is called net metering and require special
electric meters keep track of the electricity either coming to or
leaving the house.
Changes to existing laws coupled with appropriate duty concessions or
incentives could be implemented relatively soon to see benefits from
net metering and solar water heaters.
There is no publicly sustained effort by either BEC or the Water and
Sewerage Company to encourage consumers to manage with less. Neither
is there any broad government effort to encourage or demand that
conservation methods be employed. The attitude seems to be - if we
need more, build another plant.
Many utility companies and governments now recognize the collective
benefits that accrue from small but universal conservation measures.
Many utility companies have staff members dedicated to assisting their
customers in implementing conservation measures and technology.
Ultimately, these benefit the utility company by reducing the need for
expansion and imported fuel. Changing light bulbs may seem
inconsequental. But collectively, when thousands of consumers do this,
the power company can see the benefits on its fuel meter.
BEC does have a committee looking into energy issues and government
has formed a committee to formulate a national energy policy.
Hopefully, any recommendations these two groups make will be
implemented sooner rather than later.
As this is written, a town meeting is being held in Marsh Harbour on
November 11 to present a first draft of a national energy policy and
to get public input. We are confident that Abaco people will have a
lot to say. After this committee receives public input and
consolidates its findings, recommendations will be made to government
on establishing a national energy policy.
It is a shame that this present concern about energy conservation
could not have come about several years ago. We are confident that
Abaco would have responded in a grand manner to energy conservation
initiatives. Several factors would have come together nicely to put
Abaco in the forefront of energy conservation and production.
Contributing items that would have put Abaco in the forefront of
energy conservation at that time would relate to:
• the agreed need for more energy production
• the installation of a new landfill and the intended aggregation of
all of Abaco’s refuse to one central location with potential for
recycling and energy production.
• the proliferation of resort and real estate developments that could
have been required to adapt energy saving methods or co-generation
schemes
• Abaco’s extensive base of second homeowners of which many would have
joined in various conservation or co-generation methods had they been
encouraged. Furthermore, many of these homeowners have the knowledge
and resources to implement and install many of these energy saving
technologies. Installation of some of these systems can be expensive
even though they are cost effective over time.
• Besides reducing BEC’s fuel costs and government’s saving of foreign
exchange, jobs are created as a result of implementing conservation
measures. Local workers are needed for the installation and
maintenance of these technologies including installing solar water
heaters and alternate power systems at the residential or commercial
level. Job creation and the sale of the various technologies put money
into local circulation. Additional opportunities exists for local
manufacturing of some technologies, solar water heaters, for instance.
Hawaii, like The Bahamas, has no fossil fuel resources and must import
all of its fuel. Ten years ago it embarked on a massive program to use
solar and other natural energy sources. As a result, the state saved
several billion dollars in fuel costs which now go to local
electricians, plumbers and suppliers of the technology.
The energy meeting here on November 11 will not produce any immediate
results, but it is a small step in the right direction. Similar
meetings will be held on other islands and a master plan will
eventually be drawn up and presented to the politicians.
If government moves on this issue as fast as it has with the Batelco
sale, it will be a while before we see any meaningful results.
Change will eventually come as technology always wins in the long run
- it can’t be held back.