Government must urgently form a national energy plan as the date which Belco has said it will no longer be able to meet Bermuda's energy needs nears, according to a leading environmental group.

It comes after Government asked the public to save energy in a bid to reduce the impact of inflation driven by rising oil prices after the inflation rate soared to a 19-year high of 4.8 percent. But instead of just waiting on Government to take action, Greenrock is already working with energy stakeholders to come up with initiatives to help reduce consumer consumption of fossil fuel energy.

Belco, which is looking to build diesel power plants at both ends of the Island and use offshore ocean currents to cope with rising demand, admitted that the public's day of reckoning will be in 2011.

After the December 18 General Election, Cabinet added the word 'energy' to one of its portfolios and the move has been met with cautious approval from Greenrock. Andrew Vaucrosson, vice president of Greenrock said: "Greenrock has stated previously that Government should be working on a National Energy Plan and that we would welcome the opportunity to be part of this public dialogue.

"The biggest challenge for Greenrock more than the last two years was getting this current Government to be more focused on this issue compared to other 'political pet projects' whose net impact just increases Bermuda's consumption of energy and fossil fuels.

"Greenrock applauds (Government adding the word 'energy' to one of its portfolios) but Bermuda can't afford to wait several months or years before an actual National Energy Plan is drafted.

"The general public needs to realise and wake up and smell the coffee. Greenrock hopes to enlighten the general public on what proven alternatives and possibilities we can expect to have that are sustainable, environmentally friendly and can be implemented more than a short period of time."

A Government spokesman said yesterday that it would be premature to highlight the planned initiatives and policies relating to the new Ministry of Energy.

"However, during the next few weeks much will be communicated about Government's plans relating to energy consumption and conservation in Bermuda," he added.

The inflation rate also topped last year's previous high of 4.5 percent in May 2007, almost double the 2.6 percent rate for the same period the previous year and was cause for concern for a number of businesses and companies, who, ultimately end up passing on the cost of inflation to their customers.

The price of a barrel of crude oil is now at $100 per barrel compared to around $65 per barrel in October 2005, Minister of Finance Paula Cox has acknowledged.

According to Government's statistics, the transport and vehicles industry was the largest contributor to the 12-month increase in the Consumer Price Index, with sustained pressure on world oil markets leading to higher gas prices for the premium blend, which was up 13.7 percent year-over-year.

Greenrock has also noted that growth of vehicle ownership has led to air pollution, traffic congestion, pressure on Bermuda's road space and increased road safety concerns.

This, while vehicle prices do not take into account the costs of disposal, air pollution and time lost through congestion.

Greenrock has recommended transportation means such as an electric scooter, available from goGreen.bm, which provides a silent, exhaust free ride suited to Bermuda's roads and is affordably priced.

But Mr. Vaucrosson conceded: "The biggest challenges Greenrock has faced is the lack of knowledge, lack of willingness to change, and the lack of accountability in the public sector around Bermuda's energy plan.

"Belco is a utility with the duty to provide power to Bermuda. Without public input and the drive of Government, Belco is only able to provide us with plausible solutions to meet the demand that the general public requires."

On Greenrock's website, www.greenrock.org, a list of tips the public can implement to help reduce reliance on fossil fuel energy include; the use of wind power systems and turbines, which consumes no fuel for continuing operation and has no emissions directly related to electricity production.

Also, taking reuseable grocery bags to the store with you for shopping (available through Greenrock), using biodegradeable picnicware and biodegradeable compositing, is on the list.