National Energy Policy

Country / jurisdiction: Antigua and Barbuda · Year: 2011 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

In order to “Create a stable, efficient and sustainable energy sector that fosters national economic and social development by establishing an enabling environment that exploits indigenous energy resources and reduces the total dependence on fossil fuels” the government has drafted a national energy plan and invited stakeholder feedback.

Some of the renewable energy related provisions of the plan:

The Government will explore the viability of alternative fuels in order to ensure the nation’s energy diversification, cheaper and cleaner utilization targets.

The Government will foster a resource assessment on municipal and industrial waste streams as well as sustainable agricultural or forest residues with regards to their suitability for sustainable power generation.

In order to promote sustainable energy generation, the Government will foster resource assessments and pre-feasibility studies on the potentials of technologies to generate energy from alternative energy sources. These efforts will focus on, but not be limited to: a . Wind power; b. Solar power; c. Biomass and waste-to-energy;

The relevant Institutions (e.g. the Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Authority, APUA, the Investment authority and others ) will strengthen their respective roles in the contribution to sustainable and efficient planning of the energy sector by:

a. Taking advantage of available international funds and grant schemes;

b. Promoting appropriate foreign direct investment;

c. Participating in regional and international research activities;

d. Setting in motion capacity building programs in fields related to energy generation and distribution;

e. Revisiting Antigua and Barbuda’s initial and second national communication on Climate Change.

The Government will take a lead in the application of small solar PV systems by equipping its suitable public buildings with such technology. It will also develop plans to add 15% utility scale solar power to the grid by 2025.

The Government will mandate and provide appropriate incentives for the installation of solar water heating systems in the tourism sector.

The Government will encourage the development of waste-to-energy projects.

Official source: http://www.oas.org/en/sedi/dsd/Energy/Doc/NEP_AntiguaBarbuda_web.pdf