Up to 15 renewable energy companies are interested in supplying power to the Island but time is of the essence to keep their interest, according to Belco.

A 'Solicitation of Interest' by Belco has attracted 15 formal submissions from large-scale renewable companies and technologies. These include solar photovoltaic (PV), offshore wind generation and waste to energy (biomass).

However, with global interest in renewable energy growing, the Island will have to compete against other jurisdictions for their attention. President-elect Barack Obama's 'New Energy for America' plan and his commitment to green renewables also means US technologies may now choose to stay at home.

Government therefore needs to answer these companies' technical questions speedily, according to Belco spokeswoman Linda Smith.

"It's important for the Government to recognise there is some time sensitivity in terms of keeping these people interested," she said.

One of the main issues is the availability of land for installation of these large-scale renewables. On an island 21 square miles in size and with land already at a premium, there needs to be enough sites in the right locations to house vast arrays of solar panels and other installations.

"Land is critical," said Ms Smith. "For a solar panel farm you're looking at a considerable area to obtain the levels of power generation you need, so the question is where could this be sited?

"We are in discussion with Government to get some clarity as to what kind of opportunities may exist to facilitate the proposals. For example, the opportunities for biomass at Tynes Bay.

"We have to let these companies know if we can meet their technical needs, for example, do we have 'x' amount of acres facing a particular direction that Government would agree to be used?

"We could end up with everyone walking away if there aren't sites available."

Ms Smith added: "There is also increasing global interest in all forms of renewable energy, so we are competing to keep the attention of the few companies out there which are really doing something.

"What we don't want is these companies losing interest in Bermuda because we're not responding to their questions, such as where can their technologies be sited and what is needed for them to generate power here.

"In the US you have a President-elect who has said one of his primary interests is incorporating renewables into the national energy plan, so if the US is going to make it easier for these companies to build and invest in America, companies may stay at home."

Six months ago Belco announced it was to incorporate large-scale renewable energy into its power supply. The company aims to provide a fifth of Bermuda's electricity through solar PV panels, wind farms, wave technology and biomass by 2020.

The company hopes to draw up contracts to purchase power by summer 2009, but Ms Smith said the proposals will be presented to the community first.

"There is going to have to be a community buy-in and acceptance of renewables such as offshore wind farms," she said.

Belco estimates up to nine large-scale wind turbines could be needed if it is to meet its renewable energy target of 20 percent by 2020.

Andrew Parsons, senior vice president of finance, said Islanders will have to change their outlook regarding aesthetics, as the reality of offshore wind farms will mean groups of large turbines on the horizon.

"The people of Bermuda have to realise it won't be pretty and it will have an impact on the environment and the physical natural beauty of the Island," he said.

Belco has submitted the companies' requirements to Government for answers to technical questions.

"We are looking forward to hearing back from Government at the moment," said Ms Smith.

She said Belco was also keen to incorporate small-scale renewable energy on the Island, through micro-wind turbines, solar thermal energy and PV panels.

"We are promoting an integrated approach to energy planning, which includes small-scale and large-scale renewables. But we will have to rely on traditional plant for the foreseeable future until there are enough renewables reliable enough to completely reduce our dependence on fossil fuel. The likelihood of that happening in the near term is very unlikely. However, there are opportunities to start working to that goal."

Last year Belco set up the subsidiary PurEnergy Renewables to focus on hybrid combinations of small-scale renewable power. The company aims to integrate domestic renewable-energy installations onto the grid to ultimately subsidise traditional power from the central Pembroke plant.

PurEnergy offers bespoke designs and a 'turnkey' facility, through design, planning applications, installation and then maintenance, working with several Bermudian contractors.

"There's a lot of interest and they are working on a few projects at the moment," said Ms Smith.

"In terms if selling back to the grid, we are looking at arrangements for small-scale renewables and will be working with Government and the Price Control Commission."