Bonaire Strives Toward Becoming First Caribbean Island Powered by Total Sustainable Energy

In its continued efforts to become powered by 100 percent sustainable energy, Bonaire announced today that the Phase One Wind Farm should be completed this year and that full conversion is planned for 2012.

In 2007, the island government, which takes pride in the island’s beauty and nature preservation, agreed to a multi-faceted project to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel energy by developing an energy system comprised of an 11MW wind farm, 14MW biodiesel plant, and a 3MW backup battery.  Ecopower Bonaire BV, a consortium consisting of Evelop, Enercon, and MAN, is spearheading this project that is expected to complete its first phase by the end of 2009.

The project developers have already completed the installation of a pilot 330KW wind turbine, whose current energy production exceeds any initial expectations. Accordingly, 12 additional 990 KW wind turbines are being installed on the north coast of the island, where wind and surf conditions are most ideal. By the end of 2009, these wind turbines should produce 44% of the island’s energy.  The remaining 56% will be produced by the planned 14MW biodiesel generators, utilizing fuel derived from algae, which will enable the island to shift to 100% sustainable energy supply within five years.

All electricity generated will be delivered to WEB (Water and Energy Bonaire).  After completion of the entire project, Ecopower Bonaire BV will remain owner of the wind-biodiesel system.  (Source:  TCB-NY)

1. One of the draw backs of wind energy on a small island is if you install enough wind turbines to supply needs during the day, you will have huge unused surplus generated at night unless equally huge, costly storage batteries. Other places plan to convert their automobiles to electric. Charge them at night using all that wind energy virtually for free and end another source of pollution.

   Posted by on February 17, 2009 at 8:12pm AST

2. Good to see!!!
   I just returned from the carribean.  biked 10 islands in 10 days!  Amazing amazing place. But, the traffic!!! Craziness!!!
   That has to change!  there shouldn’t be all that damn traffic!  Huge SUVs everywhere!!!
   There is money on these islands I can see!
   Destruction really!
   Really don’t need all those big vehicles!
   What I would like to see - in a SUSTAINABLE WAY!  Not a lets make a huge amount of money DESTRUCTIVE WAY!!!!

   (those islands are beautiful and mankind will destroy them with time due to greed)

   Is to see more wind power.
   Is to see more alternative vehicles. 
   Is to see more solar power (perfect place for solar power!!!)

   Now, this doesn’t mean mount solar power panels all over the whole damn island!!!
   Doesn’t mean tear down all the tress and beauty!!!!  for the sake of money!!!

   It means using effective use of the land.
   It means being smart!
   It means living within means.

   Need some help, email me…

   Does anyone have an email to Bonaire government officials… I would like to offer up some advice on this… so it is done SUSTAINABLY and not by pure greed…

   Beautiful beautiful islands… the people down there don’t know how good they have it made.  Taking advantage of it without realizing the pure beauty of it all.

   I fully enjoyed my time there.  Except for Barbados.  That island is just too full of crazy traffic.  They are to the point of banning bikes in areas.  How stupid is that.  You know you have a problem when…

   Loved Bonaire… especially the pink flamingos.  Amazing!  Truely amazing!
   Never take advantage of what you have…
   You could have snow!

   Posted by on February 25, 2009 at 3:58pm AST

3. On the island of Maui, we had like 4 WIND TURBINES then they broke and my friend told me, they need to get someone from Holland to fix them.  But they stayed broke for YEARS.  Then I don’t know how many years ago, the got them FIXED and from the great “ trade winds” they are generating electricity for the island of Maui.  I have no idea of how much But Maui, is much larger than Bonaire and Maui has a much larger population.  /////////////////////////////////////// When I was on Bonaire in 1974, the island as you know doesn’t receive much rainful and they DISTILL the water from the ocean. Now California is having a drought and so worried about not havig water for the crops.  They have tha SEA THEY could build DISTILLINATION PLANT.  I know they are BROKE but they will have to distill the ocean’s water if they want their PEOPLE TO SURVIVE an have water for the crops that feed most of the POPULATION in the USA.  /////////////////////////////////////// Denmark, they say, is the only country that relies on Alternative energy.  ///////////////////////////////////////I see the population is up on Bonaire and moe hotels and new homes have been built.  JEFF you should of been there is 1974, so quiet there, no car congestion at all.  AND the airport was still a tiny little thing.  SOLAR, i am so surprised that the homes are not utliziing the SUNSHINE!

   Posted by on February 27, 2009 at 4:55pm AST
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