THE FAIR TRADING Commission (FTC) has increased the cap on the Renewable Energy Rider (RER) by two megawatts.
In a release issued today, chief executive officer Peggy Griffith said the decision, which takes effect immediately, was in light of the positive response to the programme.
She said the FTC considered the request from the Barbados Light & Power Co. Ltd (BL&P) to expand the capacity limit by one megawatt (as well representation from the Barbados Renewable Energy Association (BREA) and renewable energy (RE) installers.
“The Commission in its August 2013 decision had made the determination that the RER programme would have a capacity limit of seven MW. This additional two MW is to be allocated on a first come first served basis,” the release said.
The FTC noted that in order to prevent any dislocation, prospective owners of RE systems should first obtain approval from the BL&P, in order to ensure that their systems can be accommodated under the RER programme, prior to committing to the investment.
“The Commission expects to receive the Intermittent Renewable Energy Penetration Study from the BL&P by December 2014. At that time an in-depth consultation to determine a viable long term RER capacity limit will be undertaken. This study seeks to determine the level of solar and wind energy that can be safely accommodated on the grid,” the release said. (PR/NB)
