For about two years, Barbadians with approved solar systems have been stuck in a holding pattern with panels installed, inverters ready, but nowhere to send the power.
The national grid has been full. And with no space left to connect, homeowners, farmers, and commercial developers alike have watched their investments stall. Now, the government says it is ready to change that.
On Friday, the Ministry of Energy and Business launched the second phase of its Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) procurement, opening the way for developers to bid for large-scale battery projects designed to relieve pressure on the grid and allow more renewable energy into the system.
“This project here, this morning, is the transition from not being able to connect people’s projects to the grid at an individual level… to unlocking over $500 million in potential investment that has been trapped in the banking system because these projects need to be operationalised,” said Minister of Energy Senator Lisa Cummins during the event held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, which brought together several stakeholders and energy enthusiasts.
“The media has carried stories that have referred to [the] gridlock]. I want to stand here this morning and say that the launch of this project is about grid unlock.”
Under the new procurement, developers can bid for up to 60 megawatts (MW) of battery capacity.
Each project must be at least 1 MW, and each bidder will be allowed to compete for up to 30 MW, capped at 120 megawatt-hours (MWh).
The official Request for Proposals (RFP) will be published on July 9, and all relevant documents including the Energy Storage Agreement, Interconnection Agreement, licensing terms, and commercial term sheets will be uploaded to the government’s Bonfire procurement portal.
Interested parties must pay a participation fee of $10 000, an application fee of $1 250, and submit a bid bond of $38 000 per megawatt.
Energy Storage Licence fees will range from $312.50 to $562.50, depending on the size of the project. Applicants who already hold licences and have partially completed projects will be prioritised, officials confirmed.
The battery systems are intended to store excess solar and wind power when generation is high, then release it to the grid during peak demand or outages. Officials say this technology is critical to unlocking new renewable energy capacity and meeting Barbados’ goal of 100 per cent renewables by 2035.
Senior Technical Officer Destine Gay said the ministry tested the waters last year with a Request for Information (RFI), and the response was overwhelming, noting a strong local market interest in battery storage.
In all, 11 companies submitted 39 prospective projects totalling 404 MW, nearly seven times the capacity being procured in this phase.
Officials shared that the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), which retains regulatory oversight of the electricity sector, has played a central role in shaping the process.
“This process creates an effective market-driven competition system, one that will lead to lower pricing, innovation, and higher quality projects,” said FTC CEO Brian Reece. “We, the Fair Trading Commission, remain committed to this long journey… and we thank the Ministry of Energy for the leadership they have provided.”
Global Country Delivery Director for the Renewable Energy for Latin America and the Caribbean (RELP), Ramiro Gomez Barringer, described the initiative as groundbreaking for the region.
“This is the first competitive energy tender ever in Barbados and perhaps the first for battery storage in the Caribbean,” he said. “Barbados is in a unique position to lead the energy transition in the region.”
Barringer said the project is about more than storage but about energy independence, transparency, and affordability.
“This tender is robust, simple, and bankable; designed to attract serious local and international players. The ultimate goal is energy affordability for the people of Barbados.”
To avoid the red tape that has delayed previous rollouts, Minister Cummins said Prime Minister Mia Mottley has instructed that all relevant government agencies be engaged in a single, focused review process once proposals are received.
“Rather than sending documents from one agency to the next for months, the prime minister has said we will be sequestered if necessary, for two solid weeks, to get the work done,” she said, noting the urgency with which the initiative is being treated.
Officials confirmed that while 60 MW is being tendered now, additional battery storage will be rolled out as part of a broader, three-pronged strategy. This includes 15MW already allocated to the utility and another 50 MW under an FTC-managed tariff to support 93 MW of renewables.
The energy shift, according to the government, extends to national priorities as the country currently spends over $1 billion annually on fossil fuel imports.
That money, Cummins said, could be far better spent elsewhere.
“Every Barbadian wants us to spend that on health care, on education, on providing for the poor and those who are most vulnerable among us,” she said, noting that the launch is more than a procurement — it’s a commitment to breaking the deadlock, freeing up investment, and making Barbados energy independent.
What Developers Need To Know
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)- Phase 2 Procurement
– Total Capacity Available: Up to 60 MW/240 MWh
– Per-Bidder Cap” 30 MW/ 120 MWh
– Minimum Project Size: 1 MW
– RFP Publication Date: July 9, 2025
– Submission Platform: Bonfire Procurement Portal
Participation Costs:
– Bid Bond: BDS$38 000 per MW
Participation Fee: BDS$10 000
– Application Fee: BDS$1 250 (1-10MW)
– Energy Storage Licence Free
BDS$312.50 (1-10 MW)
BDS$562.50 (10-20 MW)
Post-Award Requirements:
– Apply for planning permission
– Submit environmental impact assessment (if required)
– Incorporate project company in Barbados
– Sign necessary agreements
What is a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)?
Think of it like a giant rechargeable battery for the national grid.
It stores extra solar or wind energy when it’s sunny or windy, then sends that energy back out when demand is high like in the evening or when it’s cloudy.
Why it matters
Bardos’ grid is full. BESS helps free up space so more people can connect renewable projects. It also keeps electricity flowing steadily and can lower long-term energy costs.
Quick terms explained
Gridlock: Too many renewable projects waiting to connect, but the grid is ‘full’ and can’t handle them all at once. Batteries help to relieve this pressure.
Renewable Integration: Adding more solar and wind into the grid without causing overloads.
Peak Shaving: Using stored energy during busy times to avoid blackouts.
The post ‘Grid unlock’ begins: New battery tender to clear backlog of solar projects appeared first on Barbados Today.
