The nation had become an independent state and Commonwealth realm on the 30th of November, 1966. Back then, it had Elizabeth II as the Queen. She was replaced by Sandra Mason as the head of the state when Barbados transitioned to a republic recently.

The history of Barbados

According to archaeological evidences, the history of this island country dates back to 1600 BC. This was when the first human settlement is believed to have developed in Barbados. The more permanent settlement was that of the Amerindians during the 4th to 7th centuries. The two main groups of people were the Arawaks and the Kalinago. 

These tribes had arrived from South American at different times between the 7th and 13th centuries. Europeans are believed to have arrived in Barbados during the 15th or 16th century. Some believe that it were the Spanish who first came to the island. There are others who believe that it were the Portuguese. The first British settlement began in Barbados on 17th February 1627. 

It consisted of 80 settlers and 10 English laborers. By 1680, the number of free whites in Barbados was 20,000 while the number of African slaves was 46,000. Several planned rebellions happened in the later years owing to the harsh conditions endured by the African slaves. Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in the year 1833. 

Politics

Afro-Barbadians started playing much more prominent role in the politics of this country. The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) was founded with the help of Grantley Herbert Adams in 1938. The universal suffrage was introduced in Barbados during the mid-20th century. Adams became the first Premier of Barbados in the year 1953.

Some of the left-leaning politicians from the BLP broke off from the party. They founded the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) in the year 1955. It won the Barbadian general election in 1961. Their leader, Errol Barrow became the next premier of Barbados. He became the first prime minister of Barbados when the country gained its full independence in 1966.

Recent elections

Barbados declared its total independence from Britain in December 2021. Queen Elizabeth II was removed from her position as sovereign head of the state. The US Embassy praised the people of Barbados on the recently concluded elections. 

The office also spoke about being enthusiastic in deepening its partnership with the Mia Mottley administration. After her landslide victory against Verla De Peiza of the DLP, Mia Mottley retained her position as the Prime Minister. The BLP, led by Mottley, won all the 30 seats in the recent elections. 

The party had also dominated the parliament in 2018 with 29 seats. The US Embassy said that it would continue to work with people of Barbados. It is also keen to work towards promoting security, democratic rights, and economic prosperity for the citizens.

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Despite a global covid pandemic, this leading UAE financial entity has completed five important clean energy initiatives. These clean energy projects took place across five partner countries including: Cuba, Barbados, the Bahamas, Somaliland and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.

The projects costing AED 1117.3 million, have allowed them to reduce their carbon footprint. They have also brought a number of economic benefits to these partner countries. ADFD’s Director-General explained that these projects indicate their solid commitment to socioeconomic growth through sustainable initiatives. Across the developing world.

He went on to explain that ADFD has been putting in double the effort in the global pandemic. Ensuring that they guarantee delivery in partner countries. Their mission has been to support these countries in order to maintain their economic and social development pathway. He also explained that delivering these projects was a learning curve. This has helped them to not only future proof their entity and deal with the global crisis; but allowed them to refocus and value their partnerships more.

He also confirmed that clean energy initiatives still remain high on their agenda. This is due to their impact on many factors from environmental to commercial. He also explained that the covid pandemic has forced ADFD to refocus their business more. Now, with a strong emphasis on what is happening around them as well as valuing partnerships and cooperation more.

Previous clean energy initiatives & funding

Last year, the ADFD announced the distribution of AED384 million (US$104.5 million) to eight clean energy initiatives. This came under the seventh round of their partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

The ADFD signed three loan agreements, totalling AED121 million (US$33 million) in West African nations of Niger, Liberia and Togo.

In July 2020, the fund backed the Maldives waste clean energy project. As a result, they were awarded an GINI certification. This is an accreditation from the Global Innovation Institute, a leading professional membership body within the innovation field.

ADFD’s eight projects were funded in Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, the Maldives, Burkina Faso, Chad, Nepal, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Once announced, it delivered AED1.28 billion (US$350 million) in cumulative funding.

The ADFD via the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund (UAE-CREF) also finances clean energy initiatives across 16 Caribbean island nations. This fund launched in 2017 is the largest renewable energy initiative in the region; supporting projects that reduce fossil fuel import reliance, climate change resilience, and increase energy access.

Despite the 2020 covid pandemic, the fund completed five of their committed projects. These increased the share of renewable energy by 14.38MW. Costing a total of AED 117.3 million, these projects supported critical socio-economic development at a critical time.

Solar projects completed last year

Somaliland Solar power project

Costing AED29.3 million, this 7-megawatt project is a game changer for Berbera City. In addition to significantly decreasing energy tariffs, it will support economic development and reduce Berbera City’s carbon footprint.

Cuba Solar PV plant

This Cuban 10-megawatt solar photovoltaic in 2019 received a capacity boost to 15MW. The grid-connected project services approximately 10,000 households

Bahamas Solar project

This AED11 million solar project located in the local stadium car park is projected to save thousands of dollars in power generation for the public purse.

The project was funded by the UAE-CREF scheme as part of a wider initiative to support their energy infrastructure and amplify the Caribbean nation’s share of renewable energy. So far the project has enabled the island to reduce its CO2 emissions by 856,000kg and has saved 310,000 litres of diesel per year,

Barbados Solar PV project

Financed by the UAE-CREF initiative, this AED 11 million projects saw the installation of solar PV panels in car parks for both charging car-battery as well as supporting the Barbados Water Authority. This led to a reduction in their CO2 emissions by 975,000kg per year and saved 265,000 litres of fossil fuel. This project also created significant job opportunities for women.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Solar PV project

This Union Island 600kW photovoltaic solar power plant has cut CO2 annual emissions by 825,000kg and reduced production cost and expenses on 320,000 litres of diesel. Financed under the UAE-CREF initiative, this AED11 million project has generated jobs particularly for women and raised the country’s share of renewable energy to 35 percent.

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