In MICAL becoming a green constituency, we can pursue to generate 40% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025 and meet an 80% target by 2028. The development of renewable energy resources is crucial to generating local employment. The next Member of Parliament for MICAL should seek to achieve the following:
MICAL’s Path forward>>
Lobby for the Implementation of a National Energy Act that will govern the energy sector and a National Retrofit Programme; which will improve the addition of new technologies and features to older systems.
The privatization or redevelopment of MICAL’s energy sector by the construction and installation of Solar Power Plants and the implementation of net-metering systems.
Lobby for the Integration of solar power and eco-friendly designs within our building codes for individuals who wish to use solar power technology in the construction of their homes or businesses. This eco-friendly design will be used in the construction of government (low-cost) housing for new subdivisions.
Campaign, Encourage, and support Joint ventures between Bahamian entrepreneurs and foreign investors to provide new energy products.
Consult with the constituents of MICAL to consider the development and delivery of a 5 - 10-year energy roadmap, which allows for the construction of a $100 million 10- megawatt Onshore land-based Ocean Thermal Energy Conservation Plant (OTEC). Consuming a potential profit of $100 million to the local economy, creating 3,000 jobs on small-to-large populated Islands, generating power to over 120 – 120,000 homes.
The restructuring & constitutionally re-implementation of the National Sovereign Wealth Fund & Administration; to ensure Bahamians are the true beneficiary of the fund.
The creation of a new Ministry of Natural Resources & National Development to govern all-natural resources (i.e. land, energy, oil, natural gas, etc.), the Planning, development, and maintenance of public works, infrastructure, and utilities.
To pursue the possibilities of Installing Wind farms in MICAL on Islands that meet the requirements of 7 mph to get a wind turbine started (i.e. Crooked Island and Mayaguana) at an average of at least 10-12mph for 6 hours a day to generate electricity.
Petition for the removal of barriers that exist in legislation prohibiting cogeneration of renewable electricity to the National Grid by the private sector and Bahamian citizens.
The Transformation of MICAL’s energy infrastructure through energy-efficient lighting for street lights and public spaces such as docks, parks, parking lots, and public buildings.
Provide educational training and support to all residents seeking to develop programs, applications, and the implementation of cleaner energy technologies.
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The Path Forward is a 20-year Development plan designed to generate economic growth and to develop sustainable economies in Mayaguna, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Long Cay (MICAL). The ideas, initiatives, and programs mentioned in this document were written as a guide mapping out an economic development path forward for the southern islands of the Bahamas.
By Andy Hanna.