The introduction of large-scale renewable energy to Bermuda will see the skyline and landscape changing, with offshore wind farms and blocks of solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Aesthetics however, will still be a key consideration on an island just 21 square miles in size, according to Belco President and CEO Vince Ingham.

Due to the Island's "size constraint", Mr. Ingham said Bermuda throws up "unique parameters and challenges".

"We have special requirements in terms of aesthetic. We are talking about building a PV system embedded in our community, whereas in other jurisdictions they can be situated in more remote locations," he said.

"We also have a marine environment we need to pay close attention to, particularly if we are talking about setting up devices on the floorbed.

"And we are also in Hurricane Alley. Building turbines offshore will therefore need special attention, which will add to the additional cost associated with these systems."

Mr. Ingham currently sees the need for three wind farms and three ocean systems to harness wave energy. As for solar power, he said: "One could assume there would be six to eight locations for large-scale solar PV on the Island."

However, he added: "There's a certain amount of study to be done in terms of what power we can realistically expect from our wave energy, and the size of the locations that can be used for PV.

"There's also more study to be done in terms of offshore locations for wind farms and what sort of capacity we could derive from them."

In terms of solar PV panels, Belco is presently eyeing the large concrete basins of Bermuda's hillside water catchment areas.

"We believe these sites present opportunities for multiple panels, so we do not forego the opportunity to catch water but also create a power source," said Mr. Ingham.

"There is already a scar aesthetically in the form of the concrete, so we would place solar Photovoltaic panels over the catchment area."

The PV panels would be connected to inverters which would convert solar energy into electricity for the grid.

Offshore, the power company would erect wind farms on the sea floor.

Mr. Ingham said the turbines would be situated "in fairly shallow water", within ten miles of the Island.

"Our vision is they would probably be outside of the reef line but on the shelf of the platform," he said. "But we need to ascertain from relevant Government agencies what would be needed in terms of approvals, such as any environmental impact."

As for wave energy, Belco says it is exploring "several different types of technology".

Mr. Ingham explained that while some devices sit on top of the ocean, others lie below the surface. Electricity is generated by wave motion which causes the device to move up and down.

"There are different schemes out there, some whereby electricity is produced at the location and the power is moved ashore by cable, others where the device produces high-pressure water and this is moved ashore through pipes and then converted."

Mr. Ingham said that as Belco invites wave technology companies to apply for contracts, "Current to Current may express an interest again".

In 2006, Belco entered into an agreement with Current to Current to purchase 20 megawatts of power from ocean currents.

The project, which incorporated a large submersible in a cylindrical unit, would have used energy from currents to power generators to produce electricity.

Belco is also looking to employ biomass energy production, whereby high temperatures gasify solid waste and the hot gas then produces power.

"We are interested in pursuing a biomass solution, such as incorporating paper produce, horticulture and food waste," said Mr. Ingham.

"There's a lot of technology being developed at the moment that could help us."

Belco has issued a solicitation of interest document and plans to use two consultancy companies — R.W. Beck in the US and Mott MacDonald Pettit in the UK, to source potential suppliers.

Advertisements will also be posted on the Internet and in the local press.

"The document invites anyone qualified to offer large-scale renewable solutions to put forward their ideas to help us meet our energy needs," said Mr. Ingham.

"We are anticipating over the next ten years that we will have to add something like 30-40 megawatts of new plant to meet Bermuda's energy needs. Our view is that the ideal solution would be a combination of various technologies.

"Our interest is worldwide and we are anticipating a response by up to 20-30 companies," he said.

Mr. Ingham said that up to 12 companies had already approached Belco following the creation of Government's Department of Energy.

"What we have found is that since the formation of the Department of Energy, there's been considerable interest by companies overseas in offering solutions to Bermuda, so our preliminary list will be all those companies which have shown an interest in supplying renewable energy — we will be inviting them to participate," he said.

Mr. Ingham said he could not yet disclose to this newspaper names of companies so far engaged in the process, but said they included "two very large companies in the US".

Belco does not yet have an estimate of how much the renewable energy systems will cost.

"The solicitation process will take us closer to some real numbers in terms of the costs associated with these systems," said Mr. Ingham.

"Our target is to have agreements in place to purchase power by the middle of next year. And we hope to see work sufficiently advanced within a year with all of the contracts.

"The timeline for this is very tight — we are looking for responses by the end of October, with a view that we can shortlist potential partners by January next year.

"It is important to begin this process as 2020 is not that far away. So it is important to seek out the appropriate technology and locations where renewables can be introduced into Bermuda."

Belco spokeswoman Linda Smith said discussions are currently taking place with Government regarding duty relief on renewable energy systems.

"There's a recognition that there's a number of ways countries manage to integrate renewable sources into their grid and that there's some level of tax relief," she said. "So there are talks taking place with the Government ministries, but we haven't come to any specific agreements yet."