Barbados

As a small island developing state, Barbados is affected by climate change impacts, particularly severe weather events. Damage has been caused in recent years by hurricane Tomas (2010) and Matthew (2016) and storms that caused wide-spread flooding (2014). The frequency and severity of extreme weather events is likely to increase. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, landslides and storm surges represent a direct risk to the island’s population, infrastructure and economy. Energy infrastructure, as in most small island states, is especially prone to impacts of tropical depressions, storms or hurricanes which affect the country on an annual basis. The energy infrastructure is situated close to the coast which makes it susceptible to tropical cyclones and storm surges.

The Barbadian Government articulated its vision towards 100% renewable energy by 2030 with beginning its energy system transition by integrating more renewable energy sources into current energy systems. In this regard, it is important to ensure that the existing and future renewable energy generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure is climate resilient.

IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
  • Munich Climate Insurance Initiative e.V. (MCII)
DONOR
  • International Climate Initiative (IKI) by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)
HAZARDS
  • Tropical cyclones
ASSETS
  • Solar Water Heater
  • Solar (PV) Modules
  • Road Networks
  • Electricity Grid
GEOGRAPHICAL SCALE
  • Country wide (ca. 430 km2)
PROJECT TIMELINE
  • 10/2015 – 06/2019