Barbuda Could Run Entirely on Renewable Energy Within Two Years: PM Browne

Antigua and Barbuda: Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently said that Barbuda could be run entirely on renewable energy within the next 18 to 24 months. Plans are under consideration to expand generating capacity and add battery storage.

India had offered an assistance of $7 million to Antigua and Barbuda and the government intended to use those finances to support the expansion. “We want to expand the renewable energy plant in Barbuda to add maybe another two megs and to also add batteries,” he said.

The Prime Minister again emphasised that Barbuda should be able to generate its energy entirely through green energy. However, he said so only as an expectation and that no particular date was specified regarding the starting of construction activity, nor did he specify battery storage or anything as to how the project will be financed. The Prime Minister also gave his vision that he wanted to see Barbuda as a completely green and sustainable country.

Renewable energy is currently under development in Antigua and Barbuda as the country relies heavily on imported fossil fuels like coal,oil, and natural gas. Despite being heavily dependent upon the imported fossil fuels, the country has started working on its new and green energy to mitigate environmental impacts.

The plans include using the support of $50 million to construct a road and a new port. The reliance on green energy aims to reduce the island-nation’s dependence upon traditional fossil fuels which are heavily imported, and to save the country from international price shocks. The majority of energy needs are satisfied through imported oil. Continuous dependence on energy has resulted in deforestation, water shortage, and contamination of water.

In 2024, roughly 7.2 % of Antigua and Barbuda’s energy needs came from solar energy. The other 92.8 % came from fossil fuels. A key project is the Oil Recycling Programme in which the waste oil is converted into usable form.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne did not announce any regional financing agreement, nor did he announce as to how much will Antigua and Barbuda get under such agreements.