The Regulatory Authority of Bermuda has extended the deadline for public input into published guidance on Bermuda’s blueprint for future electricity production and costs.

And regulators appear set to embark this month on a study that could determine the efficacies of wind power.

Public responses to a consultation document on the RA’s website, Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Guidance – which opened July 16 – were expected by a week, today, August 8.

But the RA is pushing that deadline back until August 18, a spokeswoman has told The Royal Gazette.

Bermuda is on the verge of choosing significant changes as to how electricity is delivered, what it is being used for, and at what cost.

The “Invitation to Comment” document is less than eight pages long, and based on the National Electricity Sector Policy of Bermuda, produced more than six years ago.

Questions asked of the public include:

1. Do you agree with the 20 year time frame through 2041; should it propose 100 per cent of electricity generation from renewable energy resources by then; and, remove 100 per cent of heavy fuel oil from existing power generation? The plan would be to maintain a nominal supply of light fuel such as diesel or propane as a back-up. The RA is asking the public if they agree with a list of related assumptions and if not, state why not and/or what additional options should there be.

2. Do you agree with the plan to rule out consideration of nuclear energy, heavy fuel oil, natural gas and ethane? If not, state why not and/or provide reasons and/or provide additional or alternative prohibitions.

3. Do you agree with the proposed replacement sources to provide the required stable and reliable power supply: fixed-mount wind turbines; floating wind turbines; land based utility‐scale solar photovoltaic; fuel cells; bio‐mass; ocean thermal; battery energy storage systems; hydrogen (proton exchange membrane electrolysis or alternatives); and, reversible fuel cells (proton exchange membrane, solid oxide or alternatives). If not, state why not and/or provide additional or alternative supply‐side resources.

4. Do you agree with the proposals for conservation measures to limit or reschedule electricity use so that the size and number of generating facilities can be reduced or delayed … and can include reducing overall energy consumption (energy efficiency), shifting consumption to off‐peak times (peak load shifting), and reducing consumption during peak times (interruptible load). If not, state why not and/or provide additional or alternative demand‐side resources.

5. Do you agree that proposed tariffs would facilitate behavioural changes in energy consumption? The proposed tariffs to modify behaviour include: EV (electric vehicle) public charging tariff; a low‐income tariff; a time of use tariff; demand response tariff; vehicle to grid tariff; and economic development tariff. If not, state why not and/or provide additional or alternative tariffs.

6. Do you agree with the time frame categories, which include achievable goals in the near term (next five years); medium term (6‐10 years) and long term (11‐20 years)? While the IRP has a 20 year outlook, there are resources targets and goals proposed in different stages. If not, state why not and/or provide additional or alternative time frame categories.

7. Do you agree with other proposed considerations included in the plan, including 20 year projections for energy demand and supply, the capital costing plans for transmission and distribution, replacements for existing gasoline cars, how fast importers are replacing gasoline cars with electric vehicles, timelines, risks, benefits and a number of other specified variables. If not, please state why not and/or provide additional or alternative Outputs.

8. Do you agree with the list of technologies to be considered for a “sandbox”? It is proposed that emerging technologies have limited consideration in the IRP. Near‐commercial operation, they include wave power generation and floating solar. If not, state why not and/or provide additional or alternative technologies in be included in the Sandbox.

Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Guidance Invitation To Comment:

https://www.ra.bm/documents/bermuda-integrated-resource-plan-irp-2019/

The National Electricity Sector Policy of Bermuda:

https://www.gov.bm/sites/default/files/bermuda_electricity_policy___150526_3.pdf

Bermuda Integrated Resource Plan:

https://www.ra.bm/documents/bermuda-integrated-resource-plan-irp-2019/?wpdmdl=13822&refresh=6102f1ed724a21627582957