The budget for the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce has remained static for the coming year.

Government has allocated $32 million for 2010-11, the same funding as last year.

However, the budget for the Department of Energy itself is 41 percent less, at $888,000 compared to $1.5 million in 2009-10.

Up to $250,000 of that paid for consultants in the formulation of a National Energy Policy.

Government has pledged to publish its White Paper on Energy this year, following the tabling of the Green Paper last March.

Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Paula Cox said yesterday: "Government is committed to maintaining Bermuda's position as one of the world's leading jurisdictions in the adoption and provision of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) and to reducing Bermuda's reliance on fossil fuels.

"In order to accomplish these goals, the Ministry will implement the much anticipated telecommunications regulatory regime changes, continue to develop regulations designed to service the global satellite operator community and publish the White Paper on Energy."

She said the Ministry of Finance would also introduce incentives for the uptake of green technology, and would "expand the duty relief for duly certified energy efficient products".

"In Bermuda we are encouraging investment in renewable sources of energy like wind power, solar power and the next generation of bio-fuels," said Ms Cox.

"The belief is that the economy must grow to advance opportunity for all Bermudians."

The Minister said the forthcoming National Energy Policy would encourage "a vibrant entrepreneurial climate for 'green' technology".

No further details on the proposed incentives and projects to encourage a 'green economy' were available from Government last night.