Seabase and BIDC sign MoU for Wave Power Park to fuel green hydrogen production

The agreement signed on June 7, 2024 specified the creation of a pilot energy park with a capacity of 2 megawatts (MW), which will be expanded to at least 10 MW. It will serve as an input to the BIDC green hydrogen installation.

Mark Hill, CEO of BIDC, said: “Barbados is taking a very proactive approach to finding innovative solutions that will drive the energy transition for islands like ours. We need to think not only about the land that Barbados people inhabit, but about the vast expanse of ocean around Barbados, maximizing the potential for sustainable use of blue resources in our exclusive economic zone. To ensure the environmental performance of our industrial activities at a national level, we need to think innovatively.

Hill continued: “Seabased’s technology impressed us as they worked to ensure that the solution was not only sustainable but also sustainable, thereby providing innovative solutions to decarbonize blue economy sectors currently heavily dependent on heavy fossil fuels. BIDC is prioritizing the delivery of sustainable baseload electricity at reduced costs to advance industrial green hydrogen research and development through scientific innovation in wave technology. Water and correspondingly cheap renewable energy are the key inputs necessary for the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives. “

Barbados, like other Caribbean islands, is almost entirely dependent on imported fossil fuels to meet its energy needs. The islands face climate threats such as rising sea levels and increasingly frequent and intense storms and hurricanes. Barbados’ economy is also not protected from geopolitical and logistical threats to the country’s fuel supply and energy production.

It is essential for small island developing states (SIDS) to diversify their energy mix. At COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, as well as at SIDS4 in Antigua, Barbados demonstrated its intention to take on national responsibility to lead the transition to ocean energy and freedom from fossil fuels.

In addition to the ocean being the most available form of energy on the islands, waves operate 24/7, 365 days a year, which means they are an excellent renewable energy source that can also help keep the grid stable .

According to Seabased CEO Laurent Albert, “Seabased and BIDC have identified an area where we believe we can obtain a significant amount of reliable, renewable and clean ocean energy without impeding the operation of any other industry – including tourism – that is so important to Barbados. Islands like Barbados are unique ports of beauty and biodiversity, and we want to help them meet their energy needs in a way that helps protect this unique ecosystem in their blue and green economies.”

BIDC and Seabased will work together to empower the bold and innovative development of the blue economy in Barbados. Green hydrogen is considered one of the most promising fuels for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in sectors that are difficult to reduce, such as maritime shipping. It is created by using an electrolyzer to separate hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water. When used in a fuel cell, the only waste produced is water. Hydrogen production has historically been energy-intensive and, when powered by fossil fuels, ineffective at reducing emissions and the carbon footprint of industrial activities. However, when powered by renewable energy such as ocean waves, it provides a clean alternative to fossil fuels.