Generating Biogas Energy From Wastewater In Barbados

Barbados is a small island at a low elevation level and is considered to be vulnerable to the increasingly pronounced effects of climate change. To mitigate its carbon output, the Barbados Water Authority has started to generate its own electricity from solar photovoltaic technology. Furthermore, the Authority aims to demonstrate the potential of biogas as a form of renewable energy to further reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from its wastewater treatment plants.

This SEPS exchange activity will train six renewable energy community ambassadors to undertake the critical task of educating communities in Barbados. It will provide training for the ambassadors through classroom workshops, technical sessions and site visits. The ambassadors, by interacting with citizens at community level and delivering public seminars and presentations, will engage with a broad spectrum of communities.

The selected community ambassadors recently began their community outreach work in an effort to reach their proposed number of participants and educate them about the potential benefits of renewable energy. Prior to this, they participated in various training activities and site visits across the island:

  • A series of lectures on the principles of water and wastewater treatment
  • Training on community health and safety at work (based on the relevant laws)
  • Site visits to several wastewater treatment plants in Barbados to enhance their theoretical knowledge: Bowmanston and Golden Ridge Pumping Station; Bridgetown Sewage Treatment Plant and South Coast Sewage Treatment Plant
  • Training in public speaking, personal interaction and communication, deisgned to enable the community ambassadors to systematically target their audiences, focus on people’s needs and educational level and tailor the information povided accordingly

More general information on this SEPS exchange activity is available here: Using Community Ambassadors for Community Exchange on Renewable Biogas Energy Generation from Wastewater for Sustainable Development

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