A Green Paper on Bermuda's national energy policy is due to be tabled in the House of Assembly today, and will be debated before the end of this session of Parliament.

A number of 'town hall meetings' were held through last summer to debate how the Island can best meet its energy needs.

Asked when Government expects new policies to come into effect, a press officer replied yesterday: "After the tabling of the Green Paper, there will be further public consultation via town hall meetings. You will recall that this forum garnered strong public interest and we received as much information as we gave via these meetings.

"At the conclusion of the town hall meetings we will then execute a planned schedule for the implementation of the policy and the development of the legislative framework required."

Asked what consultants had been engaged for the project, the spokeswoman said the Department of Energy used B.I. Solutions, LLC, which is an alternative energy and regulatory consulting firm operating out of Washington, D.C.

"When speaking about alternative energy sources, solutions and their impact on the community, it is imperative to have a team that is well-versed in the different types of alternative energy and conservation methods. The B.I. Solutions team consists of individuals that are not only well-versed in these methods, but are also highly regarded in the field," she said.

It was announced in last week's Budget that Government is allocating $500,000 towards the take-up of domestic renewable energy on the Island. In her Budget speech, Finance Minister Paula Cox announced the sum would "create incentives to encourage the use of small-scale alternative and renewable electricity generating systems".

Ms Cox also announced that the development of a National Energy Policy was among the Ministry's priorities for the forthcoming year. The Department is to receive a total budget of $1.5 million, of which $250,000 will pay for consultants.