The company behind plans for a solar plant at the airport has met with the Ministry of Finance to explore avenues for Bermudians to invest, Walter Roban told MPs.

The transport minister said Canadian-based Saturn Solar Bermuda 1 will build the project under a build-own-operate model.

He told the House of Assembly the project, which was formally agreed to this week, “will not be the last of its kind”.

Mr Roban said the solar farm idea for the “finger” runway had been introduced in 2010 by the previous Progressive Labour Party administration, when it was separated from the airport to ensure it would remain in the portfolio of government lands.

Mr Roban also sought to allay public concerns over the wireless “smart meters” being installed by Belco as part of its infrastructural improvements, which he said had been contemplated as early as the 2011 energy White Paper.

Assuring MPs that the devices presented no threat to public health, Mr Roban said a report by the Regulatory Authority would be released within the next ten days.

• To read Walter Roban’s statements in full, click on the PDFs under “Related Media”