A solar farm could be coming to the East End, according to the Government’s Throne Speech.

During yesterday’s speech, Government stated: “In the coming year, the Government will seek proposals for using the ‘finger’ peninsula at the airport as an ideal location for a large utility scale solar photovoltaic facility.”

At least two companies — the Bermuda Engineering Company and Sol Invictus — have proposed such a development in recent years, both arguing that such a project would create jobs and lower energy costs by producing clean energy.

Government also announced that it is looking into the feasibility of aquaculture in Bermuda, and has already issued a permit for a small-scale fish farm.

“Bermuda has a long and distinguished history of vegetable and flower production,” the Throne Speech said. “As our population has grown, less land has been available for food production and farming the land has become less important to Bermuda’s economy.

“However, the potential for aquaculture, including freshwater aquaculture, marine aquaculture, and combined freshwater aquaculture with hydroponic vegetable production, is a concept that needs to be explored. The Government has already issued a permit for a small-scale fish farm and will investigate how the infrastructure required for larger-scale aquaculture can be developed to help Bermuda to address long-term issues of food security.”

In advance of the Throne Speech, the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce said the investigation into aquaculture appeared to have “lagged or lapsed” in the past year, stating: “Though some progress has been made, overall the results have been less than rigorous.

“If aquaculture is to be a component of our food security, it needs adequate attention to ensure that it is set out in the most sustainable way from the outset.”

The Throne Speech also announced that the Government plans to make amendments to the Water Resources Act to require all boats with heads to have holding tanks in an effort to prevent discharge into inshore waters. Regulations will also require new marinas to have pump-out facilities to remove black water from boat holding tanks.

However, the Government said more research needs to be carried out before any decisions are made about the future of the Island’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where campaigners had sought to create a massive no-take marine reserve.

“The first phase of this important consultation has now concluded, and the report of the findings and conclusions has been published,” the speech said. “Government is now moving ahead with the second phase investigating the feasibility of a range of economic and conservation opportunities proposed for the EEZ.”