The group that proposed an offshore wind farm for Bermuda has praised the Regulatory Authority for backing wind power in the plan for the future of the island’s electricity sector.

The backers of the Better Energy Plan Bermuda described the Integrated Resource Plan, which was published last week by the RA, as “fantastic news for our island and the planet”.

BE Solar, working with engineering firm Etude, submitted an alternative to the IRP proposal tabled by power utility Belco last year.

In their “Better Energy Plan Bermuda”, they proposed a 60-megawatt offshore wind farm, to be located six miles west of Dockyard, coming online by 2023, and nearly two-thirds of the island’s energy coming from renewable sources within 20 years.

The IRP also maps out a future that includes a 60MW wind farm and about 85 per cent of electricity derived from renewable energy sources by 2035.

“The Government of Bermuda and the RAB are demonstrating true energy leadership and following global trends to move away from fossil fuel,” the Better Energy Plan Bermuda team stated.

“The RAB have adopted an objective evidence-based approach, which confirms the Bermuda Better Energy Plan findings that renewable energy options are the least expensive and most suitable for Bermuda’s energy future.

“Thousands of people participated in the various consultation initiatives that the RAB conducted about the proposed Belco plan.

“It is encouraging to see how interested the people of Bermuda are in this important subject. They were consulted, their concerns have been heard and a better, more sustainable energy plan will be implemented.”

The statement added that since the IRP process opened, the world has seen a rise in governments declaring a climate emergency and more young people rallying governments to enact climate change initiatives.

“In Bermuda, a petition to request that the Government of Bermuda enact legislation to require that 70 per cent of our electricity is produced with renewable energy sources by 2040 has so far garnered over 1,600 signatures.

“The release of the IRP is encouraging and we are reminded that as citizens of the planet, we have an obligation to act with a sense of urgency to negate the effects of climate change. Collectively, we must do a better job of safeguarding our island economy for current and future generations.

“We look forward to continuing to encourage and support the deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy in Bermuda and around the world.

“The people of Bermuda must continue to support the change we demand and the future we desire.

The renewable energy petition is online at www.betterenergyplan.bm