Page 35 - CARILEC CE Journal Nov 21

FP: To Murray’s point, let’s start with reliability. I those targets are going to be achieved. I say this
think everyone agrees the future, and even the with a degree of caution, but for the politicians to
present, includes renewables. Everyone is looking to say this is our renewable target, this is what we want
reduce their carbon footprint. But today, renewables to do, I strongly recommend that prior to making
represent intermittent power, and to keep a reliable those renewable goals, you have deep conversations
grid you’ll need to have thermal as a component of with not only your incumbent utility companies, but
the grid. A great example existing today is Bonaire. also potential suppliers of technology and potential
They have 14MW in thermal, 10MW in wind, and suppliers of fuels. Try to produce a workable plan.
3MW of storage batteries. The system works great, It’s going to be unique to each island. Develop a
perfect, reliable, utilizes renewables, but it could workable plan as to how you are going to achieve
be even better. The 14MW in thermal is diesel. these targets. Otherwise, I think we’re heading for
So conversion to LNG would further reduce their a situation where we are just going to miss. It’s not
emissions. When we’re talking about renewables, a case that the system will disintegrate, we’re just
the goal is always to reduce carbon emissions, and not going to achieve the targets, and that would be
there’s always the division between the environment a shame.
and the economy. We believe that LNG is the perfect
balance because you can have a reliable system that FP: To add to that, we’re primarily talking about
utilizes renewables and thermal while reducing the the islands in the Caribbean. All of them have
existing carbon footprint. At the end of the day, we’re been battered and will continue to be battered by
displacing diesel. It’s reducing CO2 emissions by 20- hurricanes. While renewables are great, if you don’t
30%, depending upon which fuel is used previously. have a sturdy thermal backup as well, you will most
likely be without power often. The resilience of the
MS: I’d like to add one more thing. We have heard electricity infrastructure also comes into play with the
of all these great, ambitious renewable targets. I inclusion and growth of renewables.
don’t want to come across as the person who says
they can’t be reached because without aspirational CB: Governments are thinking through how they
goals we will never get anywhere. I think everyone can achieve their goals with 100% renewable
needs to take a long, hard look at how some of energy, 50% or even 10%. To what extent are the

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