National Energy Policy for Barbados 2017 - 2037

The Barbados National Energy Policy (BNEP)  builds on efforts on previous projects and activities to establish a comprehensive policy in Barbados. The policy was developed using a collaborative approach which including several rounds of interviews and consultations throughout Barbados’ energy sector in 2016 and 2017. The policy also benefitted from considering research and documented accounts of regional and international jurisdictions that have experienced challenges and opportunities.

The policy outlines plans to shift the country’s economy away from fossil fuel dependence toward one based mainly on renewables. The headline goals specified in the strategy include fostering local entrepreneurship, education and capacity building. To this end, one of the 16 objectives of the policy focuses on training local employees with qualifications and skills relating to renewable energy production and management. The policy also aims to develop standards of qualification for jobs in the renewables sector, increase collaboration between educational institutions and the energy sector toward establishing degree and vocational programmes, developing renewable energy syllabuses in tertiary institutions, and internship and scholarship opportunities. As part of this, the government established a working group comprised of members of educational institutions and the energy sector to ensure ongoing relevance of the education system amid energy transitions. It also mobilises funding for training and development and establishes a system of knowledge sharing on energy skills among local educational and vocational institutions and international institutions. 

Want to know more about this policy ? Learn more