The European Commission will support HDF Energy’s hydrogen power plant project in Barbados, the first of its kind on the island.
Alongside the International Finance Corporation (IFC), IDB Invest and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the European Investment Bank (EIB) is offering the Renewstable Barbados (RSB) project a combination of guarantees and investment grants.
Project RSB is expected to “smoothly increase” the existing renewable energy penetration on the national grid by almost 50%, providing stable and reliable electricity continuously by integrating solar power generation with on-site green hydrogen storage.
Located at Harrow Plantation in St. Philip, Southeast Barbados, HDF’s power plant will reportedly replace 13MW of imported fossil-fuel generation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the significance of the project, which will serve as a “model for energy independence in the Caribbean.”
She added, “For us, it is important that renewable energy is homegrown… as it gives you energy independence and energy security, and it is the energy of the future because it is clean energy.”
Thibault Menage, HDF’s Regional Vice-President, added, “Following a successful model in French Guiana with the CEOG project, we see Renewstable® Barbados as a catalyst for further development in CARICOM member states.
“We are now seriously investing in low-carbon hydrogen for industry, decarbonised power for ports and regional maritime activity.”
The project was first announced back in 2022. It was revealed that the capacity for 128MWh of green hydrogen storage will be installed and coupled with 50MW of solar power.
Read more:Barbados to become home to the Caribbean’s ‘largest’ hydrogen project
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