The CEO of Belco last night said he was "disappointed" that there was no real focus on an energy policy in this year's Budget.

In a statement, Vince Ingham said the Department of Energy is developing Bermuda's White Paper on energy on a reduced budget, but claimed there was little clarity as to how or what objectives will be achieved.

The Throne Speech in November pledged Government would submit a White Paper on Energy during this legislative session "coupled with leadership in the development of incentives to encourage Bermudians to assume a lifestyle based upon practical energy conservation habits and to adopt energy efficient technologies".

Government tabled its Green Paper on Energy in February last year, following consultation with the public and local and international energy experts.

This was followed by the Energy Act 2009 in July, which announced the creation of an Energy Commission to regulate costs and license the sale of electricity. The forthcoming White Paper will establish a national energy policy and set out legislation. Mr. Ingham said the Green Paper on Energy was released more than a year ago and said Government's focus was to reduce Bermuda's reliance on fossil fuel, but there have been no "solid recommendations or commitments" on how to move forward.

"Much like the Green Paper, the 2010/2011 Budget statement speaks to reducing Bermuda's resilience on fossil fuels and encouraging investment in renewable energy, but no-one seems to have a plan as to how or when this will be done and there is not time frame laid out for completion of the White Paper."

He continued: "Additionally, to date, despite numerous proposals, presentations, public consultations and discussions over the last two years, no sites have been set aside for large scale renewable energy installations and Bermuda has yet to even debate a renewable energy target."

Mr. Ingham acknowledged that it was not the role of the Budget to set out Government's agenda, but said the financial plans indicate where the priorities are. "It is also very concerning that wide-sweeping comments are made about moving toward a green energy future, when nothing substantive has been done to even begin the process.

"If Bermuda were to adopt a 20 percent renewable energy target by 2020, that will mean that 80 percent of our energy will still need to come from fossil fuel. Energy planning and development is a capital investment, long-term process that requires knowledgeable and considered attention to ensure timely decisions and investments are made to maintain reliability of power supply."