Most people recognise the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, both in terms of cutting our electricity bills and in saving the planet.

For the consumer however, the biggest question is 'How much will it cost?' Any move to renewable energy sources would need to be justified to the general public by the potential cost savings in their pocket.

Tomorrow, two international consultants to the Department of Energy will explain what Bermuda needs to do to ensure that the move to renewables and greater energy efficiency is as smooth and appealing to residents as possible.

Sharon Pratt, executive vice-president of US consultancy BI Solutions, joins Dr. John Byrne, director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy (CEEP), at Government's final Town Hall Meeting on the National Energy Policy Initiative.

The public consultation meeting will focus on the practical implementation of solutions to the Island's energy crisis, with discussion on regulatory issues, market structure licensing, pricing regulations, access and interconnection, consumer protection and the regulatory authority.

Ms Pratt said: "We will talk about some of the regulatory policy options to reach the goal of sustainable energy. I can share with Bermudians how regulations can work, how Government can put procedures in place to protect the consumer and to provide guidance to energy companies in order to establish a clear playing field."

Ms Pratt is a former Mayor of Washington D.C., where she provided leadership to the departments of energy, transportation and the environment, as well as the Public Service Commission and the Office of Peoples' Counsel. She is also a former vice president of public policy with PEPCO (Potomac Electric Power Company).

She said: "I can bring the insight of what kind of structures work and how you can make sure you get to your objectives.

"The Government has to create the regulatory structure and a policy on metering, to allow people to know their good deeds will be rewarded. They need to know there are financial incentives.

"People always want someone to make sure the pricing is fair, and secondly, if I'm a consumer and make my home more energy efficient, will I get to see the results of that on my bill?

"People also want to know how they can get access to the transmission system, and if that process is honest and fair."

Ms Pratt said: "Bermuda has the second-highest electricity prices in the world and on top of that, you're in the eye of the storm in terms of climate change, with rising sea levels. Therefore, you have compelling reasons to look at this.

"The great challenge Bermuda has is your dependency on foreign fuel and the fact that you don't have a large population which can negotiate better terms for that fuel.

"What you do have however, is a unique opportunity with your capacity for solar power and the benefits of wind and the ocean. You are uniquely positioned to capture the benefits of renewables.

"And with the second-largest electricity rates in the world, you have greater financial incentives to move towards them.

"You could raise the bar for the entire world," said Ms Pratt. "You have the financial incentives, environmental incentives, and the natural resources to move to renewables. It's both a challenge and an enormous opportunity here."

n Tomorrow night's meeting takes place at the North Hall of Bermuda College from 6 p.m.