A deal is in the works to set up “power purchase agreements” between Belco and owners of solar power.

Residential solar owners would be eligible, along with commercial power providers.

The firm Gowling Lafluer Henderson has been contracted by the Department of Energy to develop the agreements, Dr Grant Gibbons, the Minister for Economic Development, told the House of Assembly.

He said: “The process of developing these policies and creating the regulatory regime to support them will take a tremendous amount of effort. However to assist in this process, the Department of Energy is in the final stages of engaging specialists consultants who are not only well versed in this area; but who are also very familiar with energy issues in small island jurisdictions.”

Dr Gibbons added: “Department of Energy has also been working on interim measures to formalise Power Purchase Agreements between Belco and the residential and commercial solar power owners.

“The Department, on a very short-term contract, has engaged the firm of Gowling Lafluer Henderson to develop these interconnection and Power Purchase Agreements.

“Their initial report has been received and is currently being reviewed, after which it will be shared with all the stakeholders, including the Energy Commission, the Bermuda Energy Working Group, the Solar power installers and of course Belco as part of the implementation process.”

Dr Gibbons’s comments come after the Energy Summit held on November 13.