The Energy Transition in Barbados

Barbados’ energy transition is underpinned by its ambition to achieve 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2030, as outlined in the Barbados National Energy Policy (BNEP). The country’s current energy mix remains dominated by imported fossil fuels, though significant progress has been made in solar PV adoption, including distributed rooftop systems, utility-scale solar farms, and emerging battery storage solutions. The government promotes investment through feed-in tariffs and incentives for renewable energy development, supported by regional initiatives like CARICOM’s Energy Policy and the CCREEE framework. Barbados does not possess domestic critical minerals production and remains fully dependent on imports for key materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements. The island’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) presents potential for offshore wind and ocean energy, though seabed mineral resource exploration is not currently active. Core challenges include hurricane vulnerability, grid integration issues, and financing gaps, while opportunities are driven by strong policy commitment, regional leadership in the energy transition, and access to climate finance for resilient, low-carbon energy development. Barbados stands out for its bold 2030 renewable energy and carbon neutrality targets, underpinned by strong policy frameworks. Maintaining this leadership will require sustained investment, grid modernisation, and active engagement in regional and global energy transition initiatives.