Powered by Nature A realistic path to clean, reliable and affordable island electricity — 100% fossil-free within five years, at $0.25/kWh.
Bonaire can run on fully fossil-free electricity in normal operation within five years. The programme is rooftop-first: 100 MWp of solar on existing roofs and carports — never in nature — with 200 to 300 MWh of storage across the neighbourhoods, the existing wind site and a fully digitised grid. It is externally financed and does not depend on incumbent parties. Figures follow financial model v3.2 (September 2026).
Reliability & Resilience
Grid stability, modern protection, dispatchable storage, and operational controls designed for island conditions.
Lower, stable tariffs
Cut the tie to imported diesel: an all-in target tariff of $0.25/kWh — half of today's $0.5021 — with no more oil-price shocks.
Local Value Creation
Training, jobs, and community access programs so the transition benefits residents and businesses.
Program status & delivery progress
Moving from feasibility into structured delivery — with phase gates, a working team, and active stakeholder alignment.
Feasibility & technical basis
Completed
Feasibility Study (Phase 1) completed; demand & system modelling established; initial solution architecture defined.
Governance & program setup
Active
Core project team established; advisory network engaged; delivery framework defined (phase gates, risk controls, reporting).
Stakeholder alignment
In progress
Conversations underway with key stakeholders; benefits translated into actionable goals; inputs incorporated into the roadmap.
Financing & structuring
In progress
Early-stage investor conversations initiated via trusted network; financing structure and term sheet outline in development; program entity/SPV in preparation.
Where we are now
Phase 1 feasibility has been completed, including demand analysis, system modelling, and initial solution architecture. The program is now transitioning into structured delivery — with governance formalized, a core project team active, and early-stage financing discussions underway.
Next 90 days
- Confirm Phase 2 scope & KPIs (MW/MWh per year + reliability metrics)
- Finalize term sheet outline and financing structure
- Validate priority sites and grid/BESS sizing assumptions
- Publish a formal program update for stakeholders
The Masterplan
A structured 5-year pathway toward fossil-free island electricity — delivered through phase gates to de-risk execution, unlock early wins, and scale with confidence.
System pillars
Roadmap (phase-gated)
Phase 0 — Foundations
Legal review of the three tracks (BES law, ACM, exemptions), tax structuring, and set-up of the SDE and BETC foundation with a residents' council and a nature seat.
Validation — 8760h simulation
Hourly energy simulation with local weather data (BESS/wind sizing) and a grid study.
Start Track B — independent rooftop pilot
First rooftop/carport portfolio (hotels, SMEs, government) as a pilot SPV — proof, cash flow and visibility, with no dependencies.
Track A & financial close
PPA/concession talks with OLB and WEB; formalise term sheets with available investors. Target financial close within 12–18 months.
Key targets & outcomes
What “success” means in measurable terms: capacity, storage, stability, and community impact.
Rooftop PV, homes
~42 MWp on approximately 7,000 homes — Nos Solo, with no money down for the resident.
Rooftop PV, business and public
~58 MWp on commercial, hotel and government roofs and carports — together with the homes, approximately 88% of annual demand.
Storage
200–300 MWh in approximately 35 district batteries plus hub storage — for frequency, peak, night cover and resilience.
Wind
11.1 MW on the existing site; repowered in place under Variant A. Delivers approximately 37 MWh on an average night (approximately 46 MWh under Variant A).
Tariff
$0.25/kWh all-in — half the July 2026 WEB tariff of $0.5021 (Pagabon prepaid: $0.6642).
Savings
~$1,008/yr for an average household (4,000 kWh); ~$44M/yr island-wide, with no oil-price exposure.
Project planning & current status
High-level view of what’s underway now — details are shared in the full pack on request.
| Workstream | Focus | Output | Phase | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feasibility Study — Phase 1 | Technical + economic basis | Masterplan dataset | 1 | Completed |
| Program team & governance | Execution readiness | Operating framework | 1–2 | Active |
| Stakeholder alignment | Residual / public / community | Scope + constraints | 1–2 | In progress |
| Financing & structuring | Structure + term sheet | Investment pathway | 2 | In progress |
| Phase 2 — site validation & sizing | PV sites + BESS sizing | Permitting-ready scope | 2 | In preparation |
Invest
For partners and investors: structured delivery, transparent reporting, and phase-gated risk management.
Investment
$335–383M CAPEX depending on the variant, financed 70% debt and 30% equity (~$101M under Variant A, ~$115M under Variant B; 25y, blended ~5.5%). Ring-fenced SPV structure under a holding.
Revenue & margin
$0.25/kWh all-in; steady-state revenue ~$44M/yr (ramping from $11M in Y1). OPEX ~2.5% of CAPEX; EBITDA ~$32.8M (~75% margin) under Variant B and ~$34.0M (~78%) under Variant A.
Returns
Debt service ~$20M/yr; DSCR ~1.7. Free cash flow to equity ~$14M/yr (cash yield ~13%). Model equity-IRR 13–16%; communicated conservatively at 8–12%.
Community
A transition that works for everyone — access, affordability, and local capability building.
Nos Solo & participation
There is no net metering on Bonaire, so behind-the-meter PPAs, net-billing and community solar are the routes for residents to take part — including those without a roof or capital.
Jobs & training
Installing, cleaning and maintaining the panels and batteries is done by trained local people — installer pathways, O&M training and apprenticeships that stay on the island.
Governance
A three-layer structure (BETC foundation, planning bureau, four SPVs A–D) with a formal residents' council and an anchored nature seat. Statutory KPIs safeguard affordability and nature.
Contact
General questions, partnerships, and information pack requests.