Listen to it here:
1. Current Energy Production and Utilization:
- Gross and Net Generation: GRENLEC generated 105.96 GWh and netted 102.78 GWh as of June 2021. Understanding these figures can help estimate the potential contribution of waste-to-energy to the overall energy mix.
- Fuel Efficiency and Costs: With a reported fuel efficiency of 15.33 kWh/US Gal and significant expenditures on fuel costs, introducing waste-to-energy could potentially enhance fuel efficiency and reduce reliance on imported fuels.
2. Potential for Waste-to-Energy Integration:
- Waste Generation and Management: The solid waste management project underscores a considerable amount of waste generation in Grenada, with the majority being organic and biodegradable—ideal for conversion into energy.
- Strategic Environmental Goals: Both the solid waste management project and GRENLEC’s operations could benefit from aligning with Grenada’s environmental sustainability goals. Waste-to-energy projects can reduce landfill use and generate clean energy, contributing to these objectives.
3. Financial and Operational Synergies:
- Capital Expenditure and Investments: GRENLEC’s investment in infrastructure (16.75 million USD as of June 2021) indicates a readiness for significant projects. A waste-to-energy facility could be a strategic addition to their asset base.
- Cost Recovery and Efficiency: GRENLEC’s current fuel cost recovery stands at 88.63%, below the targeted 100%. A waste-to-energy project could improve cost recovery by diversifying and stabilizing energy production costs.
4. Stakeholder and Community Involvement:
- Public Education and Awareness: Similar to the solid waste project’s emphasis on public awareness, educating the public about the benefits of waste-to-energy could facilitate smoother project implementation and community acceptance.
- Government and Regulatory Framework: Both projects involve significant interactions with government bodies. A proposal that aligns with governmental strategic priorities, such as reducing waste and increasing renewable energy sources, would likely gain favorable regulatory and financial support.
5. Proposal Development:
- Addressing GRENLEC’s Needs: Tailor the proposal to address specific challenges faced by GRENLEC, such as high fuel costs and the need for sustainable energy sources.
- Technical Specifications and Benefits: Provide detailed technical information on how waste-to-energy technology can be integrated with existing GRENLEC infrastructure, along with potential energy output and environmental benefits.
- Financial Projections and Incentives: Include financial forecasts showing potential cost savings, revenue generation from energy production, and any available environmental credits or incentives.
In summary, linking the waste-to-energy project to GRENLEC involves demonstrating how the project can integrate seamlessly into existing operations, contribute to sustainability goals, provide financial benefits, and engage with the community and government. A successful proposal will clearly outline these synergies and provide a compelling case for waste-to-energy as a strategic investment for GRENLEC.
