Project Overview
The Barbados National Energy Company Ltd. (BNECL), in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is leading the installation of 10 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across the island. These will support the national grid for additional renewable energy integration. In particular, with a focus of facilitating the interconnection of residential and commercial solar systems as well as the provision of community resilience.
Why BESS?
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can store electricity when there is an abundant supply (e.g., during peak solar generation) and subsequently release it when there is no solar (at night or times of significant cloud cover) or, the grid is unstable.
They can:- Improve grid stability and reduce outages.- Provide backup power to essential services like hospitals, and hurricane shelters.- Enable greater renewable energy penetration.
Key Elements of this initiative
10 Sites Nationwide – including Queen’s College, Geriatric Hospital, HMP Dodds, and BNTCL.
Two Classes of Systems:
Class 4 – direct grid support (11 kV connections).
Class 3 – localized backup power for host facilities.
10 MW Total Capacity – combining stability and community resilience.
BNECL Energy Hub in Woodbourne, St. Philip. This facility will:
Monitor and control BESS and photovoltaic installations across the island in real time.
House a research and development center to provide training, and enhance local technical expertise.
Serve as a showroom and knowledge hub for new clean energy technologies.
Environmental & Social Responsibility
An Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) was carried out for five sites and the BNECL Energy Hub, guided by Barbados’ legislation, and the IDB’s Environmental and Social Policy Framework (ESPF).
During the Construction Phase, the main environmental and social impacts and risks associated with the installation of the BESS and the construction of the Hub include: gaseous emissions and particulate matter, increased noise and vibrations, potential water and soil contamination from accidental spills, waste generation, as well as occupational health and safety risks and potential community accidents.
During the Operational Phase, the key risks and impacts are related to the generation and management of hazardous waste, as well as occupational health and safety concerns, including the potential for operational accidents.
To address and mitigate these impacts and risks, an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) has been developed, which includes the following plans:
Environmental Liability Program
Traffic Management Plan
Waste Management Plan
Labor Management Plan and Code of Conduct
Flora and Fauna Management Plan
Chemical Substances Management Plan
Socio-Environmental Training Plan
Procedure for Chance Finds
Community Health and Safety Management Plan
Occupational Health and Safety Management Plan
Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan
Stakeholder Engagement Plan and Grievance Redress Mechanism
Noise and Air Quality Management Plan
Climate and Disaster Risk Plan
Gender Based Violence and Harassment Mitigation Procedure
Construction Site Closure and Rehabilitation Plan
Feel free to share your feedback and stay engaged — this project is for all Barbadians.