“We have been at the forefront of the renewable energy industry as it has progressed over the years,” explains Gleeson Roach, General Manager of Williams Solar. “Apart from installation, we’ve also been involved in many discussions related to the regulatory framework and given our feedback on consultation requests, as well as lobbying for changes throughout the industry.” As an active member of the Barbados Renewable Energy Association (BREA), Williams Solar has played a crucial role in shaping policies that have accelerated renewable adoption across the island. This involvement in industry development has positioned them as thought leaders in Barbados’ energy transition. Barbados, like many Caribbean nations, faces high electricity costs due to traditional reliance on imported fossil fuels. The country’s 2030 goal of becoming 100% renewable energy-powered has created fertile ground for companies like Williams Solar to thrive while contributing to national energy independence. With approximately 30 megawatts of photovoltaic systems installed across more than 450 individual projects, Williams Solar has made a substantial contribution to Barbados’ renewable energy capacity. REGULATORY EVOLUTION AND MARKET GROWTH The regulatory framework governing solar installations in Barbados has undergone significant transformation since Williams Solar began operations. These changes have directly influenced both project scope and market opportunities for renewable energy providers on the island. “Through the years from a regulatory standpoint, we’ve seen the introduction of the Ministry of Energy ELPA license process,” Roach notes. “We’ve also witnessed changes in terms of the cap for singlesize photovoltaic systems that could be installed per application. Initially it was 50 kilowatts, then moved to 150 kilowatts, to 500 kilowatts, and then to one megawatt.” This progressive lifting of capacity restrictions reflects Barbados’ growing comfort with higher volumes of solar energy entering the grid. The regulatory evolution has enabled more ambitious projects, including the establishment of a category for systems between one and ten megawatts.These larger installations have become increasingly visible across the Barbadian landscape. Current regulatory focus has shifted toward energy storage, a critical component for grid stability with 79 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 03 WILLIAMS SOLAR
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