reco is getting greener (and cheaper!)

"The implementation of a new gas-based power generation scheme by Roatan Electric Company (RECO) promotes the development of the Bay Islands and will lead to a better service and a more accessible energy costs for all the residents of Roatan," [Honduran] President Juan Hernández said today. "The investment, which exceeds $65 million (more than 1.495 billion lempiras) by RECO, is "a point in favor of the poorest because this new scheme will reduce their electricity bill between 15 and 20 percent," Hernandez said. "What we want here is for the Bay Islands to have the [infrastructure] conditions required by their well-earned reputation as a tourist destination in the world," he said, and then recognized the positive impact on the environment brought by the change to gas-fired electricity generation.

- Hondudiario [Spanish]

Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

greener energy for a brighter future

Roatan Electric Company (known popularly by its acronym RECO) is making a gigantic investment in Roatan's energy future. The company is currently constructing a new plant that will use much cleaner-burning natural gas to replace existing infrastructure that utilizes the dirtier fossil fuel diesel. While still far from the ideal of being 100% green, RECO's commendable, forward-looking move to cleaner natural gas is a huge leap in the right direction. This past week the massive tanks that will store the natural gas were delivered to the construction site (the security guards I chatted with said they were manufactured in Texas). The new tank farm being installed next to RECO's existing plant is quite impressive to observe. We islanders hope the move to natural gas-generated electricity will also result in lower utility rates, which currently are some of the highest in the entire Caribbean basin. I took these photos of the interesting project with my phone's camera this afternoon.

Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

roatan's going green!

Roatan, Bay Islands (21/Aug/2015). Roatan has catapulted to become a leading Honduran region bidding for clean energy production. A megaproject currently underway seeks to replace 100% of the energy matrix that feeds Roatan with clean thermal energy, and has begun to be implemented this year. To make this goal a reality, US$43 million is being invested. Of that amount, $8 million is for a wind energy farm; $30 million for a natural gas-burning plant [current infrastructure it will replace uses much dirtier diesel and bunker]; and $5 million to generate energy from solid waste. Roatan Electric Company (Reco) is responsible for managing and distributing the energy that powers the island. The company has made its first breakthrough with the wind energy farm: a generating tower is already operational; three more will go online in three weeks. The wind center will supply 10% of current demand, which totals close to 12 megawatts. All 26 of the Nordtank generating towers will be operational in late November. They will have an installed capacity of one megawatt per month. The wind farm project is currently 60% complete. "One of the towers is already operational and three will be operational in the coming weeks," said Luis Rodriguez, Reco’s CFO.

- Translated from Diario La Prensa (Spanish) 

it's snowing in roatan!

Not really, but we're slowly covering the roofs of all buildings on Paya Bay's property with a special roof sealant/reflectant purported by its manufacturers to reflect 98% of the sun's heat energy. This rather expensive but eco-positive project should significantly reduce the energy needed to cool our buildings, along with our energy bills and their associated carbon footprint.

pricey

Following through on our stated goal of making Paya Bay a zero impact resort, we've been accepting proposals from various energy consultants for a more eco-friendly electricity solution that incorporates wind and/or solar power. We currently purchase 100% of our electricity from the island's utility company, which uses hyper-dirty (and increasingly expensive) fossil fuels -- primarily diesel -- to generate the energy it sells. The latest alternative energy proposal we've received quotes US$70,000 for a system purported to generate sufficient wind energy to cover, on average, 65% percent of the resort's current energy needs. For a small business, a price tag of $70K on anything is pretty daunting, particularly if the investment being considered is only a fractional solution to the problem. There's always a way, though. When there's a will. We must carefully consider these things, be creative, and take action now for our planet, the animals, and future generations of our species.