Bonaire

Bonaire, a Caribbean island grappling with distinctive energy challenges stemming from its geography, population growth, and socio-economic disparities, has exhibited notable progress in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Despite heavily relying on non-renewable energy, Bonaire is committed to enhancing sustainability. This proposal introduces Technical Assistance for an action plan that builds upon the Sustainable Energy Roadmap. The objective is to elevate the proportion of renewables in Bonaire's energy portfolio, ensuring clean, reliable, and affordable energy for its burgeoning population of 22,000 residents by 2030. Renowned as a 'Blue Destination' for its natural beauty and marine biodiversity, Bonaire, a Dutch Caribbean public entity, faces the frontline challenges of climate change, further motivating the pursuit of a robust Sustainable Energy Action Plan.

With a primary economic reliance on tourism, Bonaire is a diverse cultural hub situated at the crossroads of languages and traditions. The island's vulnerability to climate change, compounded by its unique geography and natural ecosystems, underscores the urgency of sustainable energy solutions. The Action Plan centres around three key goals: achieving 80% clean energy in the electricity system by 2030, ensuring reliability for industries, communities, and desalination processes, and addressing energy poverty to make energy more affordable across the island. Presently, Bonaire's electricity grid operates autonomously, with 30% of its energy derived from renewable sources. The forthcoming decommissioning of the Morotin offshore wind farm by 2025 has catalysed collaborative efforts with stakeholders such as WEB, CGB, and BBT to devise an electrical system roadmap. This strategic shift involves integrating solar and wind energy with battery storage, with the recent installation of a 6 MW battery power facility at CGB.

In the pursuit of sustainable energy, Bonaire's roadmap anticipates overcoming challenges through a diversified approach. The solar park and battery storage infrastructure, bolstered by the already operational 6 MW battery power at CGB, aim to mitigate energy production fluctuations, particularly during periods of low wind output. As of May 2023, all planned solar panels and batteries have been successfully installed, marking a significant step toward achieving Bonaire's ambitious clean energy targets.

As part of the 30 for 2030 call the following activities are planned: 

Smart Electric Systems – Scalability of the Planned Smart Infrastructure to Integrate Distributed RES and Smart Grid Technology

This project involves a detailed analysis of the planned smart infrastructure to ensure its scalability. It includes identifying other smart grid solutions that could be integrated to enhance performance. Recommendations will be made to optimize the current plans, ensuring efficient integration of distributed renewable energy sources (RES) and advanced smart grid technology.

Roadmap for Implementation of Optimal Solutions Recommended in the SES Study

The project focuses on creating a comprehensive roadmap for implementing the optimal solutions identified in the SES study. This includes analysing existing policies and regulations, as well as engaging end-users to ensure smooth adoption and execution. The roadmap will outline specific actions and timelines necessary for successful implementation.

Plan for Road EV Charging Infrastructure Roll-out

This project aims to define the critical and optimal locations for installing EV charging infrastructure. It will include strategies for managing charging during peak hours using Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) protocols. The project will establish standards for charging, protocols for management, and methods for clearing charging costs, ensuring a seamless rollout and efficient operation of the EV charging network.

Analysis of the Optimal Way to Integrate Centralized (St. Eustatius) and/or Decentralized RES + EV Charging Infrastructure into One Grid Management System (SES)

The study will investigate how to integrate centralized and decentralized renewable energy sources with EV charging infrastructure into a single grid management system. It will focus on increasing grid visibility and utilizing smart devices to improve grid management. The goal is to ensure a secure supply and optimal usage of renewable energy.

Analysis of the Additional RES or Innovative Technologies Needed for Reaching 100% RES for Each of the BES Islands

This project involves conducting workshops or studies to enhance knowledge about renewable energy technologies on the BES islands. The focus will be on increasing the visibility of the techno-economic options available for different technologies. The project aims to identify additional renewable energy sources or innovative technologies required to achieve 100% renewable energy for each island.