Considering where our planet and world economy are, you have to salute Bonaire for where they are heading — 100% sustainable energy within 5 years! It’s happening — and the European consortium, Ecopower Bonaire BV, who is spearheading the project, has reached financial close with Rabobank to complete the first phase by the end of 2009.
Get this. They are building 12 wind turbines (and a biodiesel generator to insure grid stability during low winds) which together will provide sufficient capacity for the entire island’s electricity needs. How cool is that? The wind farm will be clustered on the north coast and is projected to meet the island’s electricity needs for the next 15 years.
Frank Wouters, managing director of Evelop (a consortium partner) states that “the Bonaire project is proof that a sustainable energy supply for everyone is achievable. This is an important showcase; Bonaire will be home to the world’s largest stand-alone wind /biodiesel generator project.”
We’ll add some more details of the project in another post. I’ve got an idea for supplementing visitor’s shore diving transportation with the donkey population that I need to flesh out.
