Now, they say alternative energy is okay.
Twelve years ago, when BahamasB2B was pushing for the government to allow individuals and business owners the right to explore alternative energy solutions, the governement nearly arrested us just for suggesting such a thing.
In 2009, when an enterprising Bahamian entrepreneur named Graham Weatherford took his compnay off the grid in a bid to use solar power, the government castigated him and wanted to fine him $3,000.
Typically late and years behind reality, the government has finally decided that our suggestions are the right way to go. Of course, they had to make people think it was government’s idea.
Earl Deveaux, the Minister of the Environment, said Bahamians “need to take matters into their own hands” when it comes to alternative power solutions to reduce costs and ensure a more stable supply.
There has been “a great deal of talk” on the need for other forms of energy, he added, but very (little) initiative from the general population.
Well, no wonder why. The government threatened to arrest people who took that initiative.
“Given the outages over the past few weeks, and expensive energy options, individuals and business people could be making changes. One would have expected a more aggressive uptake.”
Mr Deveaux, who must have had his head in the sand for the past ten years, apparently only surfaced long enough to take free helicopter rides from the Aga Kahn.
Last week, Deveaux said, the Bahamas Electricity Corporation announced they are close to a deal with an alterative energy company.
You can bet that once BEC inks the deal, the government will once again outlaw individuals who explore allternative energy solutions on their own.
Michael Moss, the chairman of BEC, said waste energy is not an option right now, leaving solar, tidal and wind power as possible sources.
He would not reveal the company BEC is partnering with at this time. An announcement is expected in the next few weeks.
However, even after the deal is signed, Moss admitted that alternative energy would only account for 10 percent of the country’s energy needs in the foreseeable future.
With this in mind, Deveaux, said residents need to take steps to harness their own alternative energy, which is often more efficient and less expensive over the long term.
It is only since certain corrupt government ministers invested in alternative energy companies that this has been allowed.
How typical.
