Environmental groups have welcomed plans by Belco to introduce large-scale renewable energy systems into the nation's power supply.

Belco has announced it is to incorporate solar, wind, wave and biomass technology into the production of electricity, thereby reducing Bermuda's reliance on oil imports and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

CEO and President Vince Ingham said Belco aims to provide 20 percent of the Island's electricity through solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind farms, wave technology and biomass by 2020.

The company has now issued a solicitation of interest document to potential global suppliers of renewable energy sources. A shortlist will be made in January with a view to drawing up contracts to purchase power by summer 2009.

Mr. Ingham told The Royal Gazette the company currently envisages three offshore wind farms, three wave technology plants and six to eight sets of large-scale solar PV panels.

Yesterday Stuart Hayward, chairman of Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST), welcomed the announcement but said Belco should go even further in reducing energy production from fossil fuels.

Mr. Hayward said: "BEST has monitored Belco's plans for upgrading its facilities and is pleased that it is considering renewable and alternative energies for Bermuda.

"We would prefer to see even greater movement away from large-scale, centralised generation of fossil fuels, and to see fixed deadlines for the introduction of wind power, hydro-electric, solar power, plus a shared grid where customers could sell back the unused energy that they generate through alternatives. We would also like to see far more attention given to efficiency and conservation, such as an Island-wide move to curbing waste."

Andrew Vaucrosson, president of sustainable development group Greenrock, last night spoke at a Department of Energy forum on the ways in which people can conserve energy.

The public consultation, at St. James' Church Hall in Sandys, was part of a series of Town Hall Meetings towards drafting a Green Paper for a National Energy Policy for Bermuda. Mr. Vaucrosson urged the community to get involved with Government's energy initiative and to also support Belco's introduction of large-scale renewable power.

"Bermuda is at an important crossroad when it comes to the creation of a realistic and effective energy plan," he said. "Presently, Government is gathering ideas and educating the community about energy-related issues.

This energy plan is going to affect everyone and so this is a chance for you to learn more about what you can do and how the community, corporations and Government can work together towards making meaningful change in Bermuda.

"Government alone is not going to solve this issue, but rather a community-based effort needs to be in place to help break our dependency on foreign oil as a source for energy production."