FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — Lucayas Solar Power’s (LSP) $15 million solar farm, which will be constructed on two sites on Grand Bahama within the next 10 months, will be the first of its kind in The Bahamas, The Nasau Guardian reported on Tuesday, March 21, in an article written by Barbara Walkin.
Principals of the projects signed the licensing and power purchase agreement (PPA) on Thursday with Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), then broke ground for the project Friday morning at the Fairfield site, off Settlers Way.
The Fairfield and Devon locations together are just over 30 acres and will generate 9.5 megawatts of energy, according to officials.
“This project is the first of its kind for the nation,” GBPA President Ian Rolle said.
“It is supported by a pioneering regulatory framework created in 2012, which, when introduced, was another first of its kind for the region.
“Not only does this project reduce our carbon footprint and heavy reliance on fuel for power generation, but you will also be pleased to learn that it breaks new ground in gender equality.”
The company, which has a 65 percent Bahamian controlling investment, boasts that 70 percent of its installation is by female engineers.
“More importantly, it is a small and essential step in the direction of generating cleaner, more affordable and sustainable electricity for our island citizens,” Rolle said.
“And so, we celebrate not only the establishment of a renewable energy sector in Freeport, but we also celebrate the confidence of investors and collaboration between partners who have made it all possible.”
LSP is expected to be the start of the island’s renewable energy transformation, as the first utility-scale solar farm operation in the country.
“I think this is something Grand Bahama needed,” said LSP President Jorge Marquez.
“Hopefully, this will move more investors to come to the island because of this venture.”
Marquez explained that during the construction phase, the project will provide employment for 80 Bahamians.
After the construction, he said, they will hire about four people.
“This type of facility does not require intensive manpower to operate and maintain,” Marquez explained.
“We think two on the field and two in administrating … for operation and maintenance of the project.”
The project, which is being financed through Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Invest, is not only a pioneer project but also an important contributor to the agenda of climate change and the reduction of fuel costs to The Bahamas, said IDB Country Representative Daniela Carrera-Marquis.
“If you look at the project, it contains four of the UN’s sustainable policies,” Marquis said.
“It contributes to SDG7 (Sustainable Development Goal 7), which is affordable and clean energy; to SDG8, which is decent work and economic growth industry; SDG9, which industry, innovation and resilient infrastructure and SDG13, which is taking action to combat climate action and its impacts.”
Carerra-Marquis said the project is critical from an economic, social and renewable energy point of view.
“It is an opportunity to bring renewable energy, but also to bring to the forefront the importance of gender inclusion in a project like this,” she said.
See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/15-million-solar-farm-on-the-way/
