Young Barbadians must step up as leaders in the nation’s energy transformation, Minister of Energy and Business Senator Lisa Cummins declared, calling on students to turn innovation and entrepreneurship into the engine of Barbados’ green future.
At the prize-giving ceremony for the Youth Energy Entrepreneurship Challenge at the Solar House in Queen’s Park on Wednesday, she applauded the efforts of secondary and tertiary students who were challenged to reimagine the purpose and future of the Solar House – a live educational exhibit on solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and energy efficiency.
“We are looking at a historical legacy asset that has been with us since 2007 and our young people, our brightest minds who are meant to shape their own future, not us shaping it for them, but shaping it along with them,” she said.
Citing the island’s ambitious energy transition goals, Senator Cummins noted that Barbados is targeting energy independence and climate security within the next decade, with milestones set for 2030 and 2035.
“We have the most ambitious or among the most energy energy most ambitious energy transition goals in the world . . . no other country in the world is talking about it in this way, but we are; we’re talking about it in the context of energy security; we’re talking about it in the context of energy independence, we’re talking about it in the context of climate security [and] we’re talking about it in multiple spaces,” Senator Cummins explained.
She encouraged participants to view the energy transition as a space for innovation, and urged schools to integrate energy-focused thinking into their teaching.
She said: “I would love to be able to see Barbados evolve as that hotbed of innovation and energy innovation, energy transformation, in order for Barbados to become that global leader as well in energy transition, innovation led by our youth.
“We also are the Ministry of Business, and if you were to develop those transitional technologies, if you were to develop those innovations, if you were to develop those new business models, this is the Ministry of Business and we have an MSME strategy, and MSME policy which is aimed at developing and supporting small businesses.”
She also encouraged youth from different academic disciplines to collaborate and create a new generation of tech-driven entrepreneurs focused on the green economy.
Senator Cummins said: “If you are doing energy, if you’re doing technology, computer science, environmental science, bring it together with the business of those things. How do you create the next tranche of entrepreneurs in Barbados led by innovation, led by technology, led by the energy transition you have the ability clearly by what you have submitted here today to do just that.
“Do not be intimidated by what you think is something that is too grand for you. You are capable, you have agency, you are fit for purpose, and you are the future of our country. You are the future of our energy transition.”
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