Caribbean roundup: Regulatory consultations, tech deployment, solar supply

The Bahamas’ Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority opened public consultations related to the power and natural gas sectors.

“As the sector has matured, and with the passage of the Electricity Act, 2024, it has become necessary to develop new license types,” according to the watchdog.

The regulator also seeks comment on the introduction of natural gas into the energy mix, after the passage of The Natural Gas Act, 2024.

Documents are available at the following links: electricity system operator license, electricity transmission and distribution license, and natural gas framework.

Tech deployment

Enphase Energy started shipping IQ8P and IQ8HC microinverters to support newer, high-powered solar panels in the Caribbean.

“IQ8P and IQ8HC microinverters feature a peak output AC power of 480 W and 384 W, respectively. The microinverters are designed for residential applications and support higher powered solar panels up to 670 W DC,” the California-based company said in a release.

Solar supply

The Dominican Republic’s state hydroelectric company Egehid put into operation a 3MW solar pilot project at the small-scale Brazo Derecho hydro in Navarrete, Santiago province.

“The Brazo Derecho solar complex marks the beginning of an ambitious plan to diversify Egehid’s generation matrix, through a significant investment in solar, wind and hydropumping energy,” the operater reported.