Barbados’ ambitious goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030 is expected to spark a surge in job opportunities across various fields, ranging from solar power to waste-to-energy systems. This promising outlook was highlighted during the Barbados Sustainable Energy Youth Forum, held as part of CARICOM Energy Month on Thursday.
Experts at the forum painted an optimistic picture for young Barbadians, emphasizing the need to prepare for careers in a sector critical to the island’s economic and environmental future.
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Walter Harris, a lecturer in the Faculty of Natural Science at the Barbados Community College, outlined an array of emerging roles in solar, wind, and waste-to-energy systems. These include positions such as solar panel installation technicians, battery storage specialists, and smart grid analysts.
“Science plays a vital role in the renewable energy sector,” Harris noted, encouraging students to focus on subjects like Mathematics and environmental sciences to fully leverage these opportunities.
Beyond technical roles, the transition to renewable energy will also require professionals in quality assurance, sales, marketing, policy development, and accounting to drive the industry forward. Harris also emphasized the potential for entrepreneurial ventures, including energy consultancy and app development for monitoring home energy usage.
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Destine Gay, Senior Technical Officer in the Ministry of Energy, underscored the high demand for skilled trades in renewable energy, highlighting the potential for self-employment. She pointed to areas such as maintaining inverters, electric vehicles, and installing renewable energy systems as viable career paths.
“Renewable energy offers autonomy, financial stability, and a career path resilient to automation and artificial intelligence,” Gay explained, urging young Barbadians to consider pursuing trades or entrepreneurial ventures in this booming industry.
Robert Harewood, Manager of the Renewable Energy Business Unit at the Barbados Light & Power Company Limited, provided an update on the island’s renewable energy landscape, noting that approximately 99% of renewable energy connected to the grid is solar. He also shared insights into ongoing biofuel and waste-to-energy projects.
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While the forum acknowledged that Barbados might not meet its 2030 renewable energy target, panellists stressed the urgency of reducing fossil fuel imports, which currently total 750,000 barrels annually, and prioritizing the transition to sustainable energy.
The Barbados Sustainable Energy Youth Forum served as a vital platform to prepare young Barbadians for opportunities and challenges in the renewable energy sector, fostering hope and motivation for a greener, more sustainable future.
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