3E supported the development of the 30–50 MW Lamberts and Castle Wind Farm, the first large-scale wind energy project in Barbados, an island nation in the Caribbean. This landmark project represents a major step forward in the country’s ambition to accelerate its renewable energy transition.
To bring this vision to life, the Government of Barbados partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC, part of the World Bank Group) to launch a competitive tender for the project’s development and operation.
Acting as Technical Consultant, 3E carried out a comprehensive technical feasibility study forming the technical backbone of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) tender documentation.
Overcoming techincal & environmental challenges in Barbados islands wind farm development
Developing a utility-scale wind project on a small island nation like Barbados comes with a unique set of technical and environmental challenges.
The existing roads and port infrastructure are not designed for transporting oversized turbine components, requiring innovative logistical solutions. The site area also presented a dense network of environmental and social constraints, demanding careful optimisation to ensure regulatory compliance and sustainability.
Finally, the island’s exposure to tropical storms and hurricanes required a design capable of withstanding extreme wind conditions, a critical factor in ensuring safety, long-term reliability and investment security.
Feasibility study for a bankable and resilient wind project
3E, working closely with the Environmental and Social Consultant, carried out the preliminary investigations required to establish a sound technical and financial basis for the project.
The study included:
- Detailed wind data review
- Constraints mapping
- Topographic, geotechnical, and geophysical investigations
- Logistical, hydrological, and climate risk assessments
Based on these findings, 3E proposed suitable turbine models and developed an initial project design covering the site layout, civil and electrical infrastructure, and CAPEX/OPEX estimations.
Probabilistic energy yield assessments (P50, P75, P90, and P95) were then performed to quantify expected production and support investment decisions.
Ad-hoc engineering and conceptual design for hurricane-resilient wind farms
Thanks to our international experience, with over 200 measurement campaigns worldwide, including collaborations with the World Bank and the Technical University of Denmark - DTU, our experts combined local context awareness with global best practices.
To address the logistical challenges, 3E conducted an in-depth swept-path analysis and evaluated a mix of marine and on-road transport routes for turbine delivery. The engineering design also integrated storm-resilient specifications, ensuring that the future wind farm could safely operate in a hurricane-prone environment.
Throughout the study, 3E applied rigorous modelling, traceable methodologies, and internationally recognised standards, ensuring that the results would be bankable, transparent, and fully auditable for investors.
Technical consultancy for PPP tender preparation and sustainable investment
The feasibility study provided IFC and the Government of Barbados with a robust technical foundation for the upcoming PPP tender. 3E’s work demonstrated that large-scale wind energy deployment is technically and economically viable in Barbados, provided that site-specific conditions and logistical challenges are carefully managed.
By combining engineering, climate resilience, and local adaptability, 3E contributed to shaping one of the Caribbean’s most promising renewable energy initiatives paving the way for a more sustainable and energy-independent future for Barbados.
“The IFC team has greatly valued the deep expertise and collaborative spirit that 3E has brought to this project. Their technical guidance has been instrumental in shaping a robust, bankable design that reflects both global best practice and Barbados’ unique context.” Sean Whittaker, Scaling Wind Co-Founder and Head of Energy Climate Finance at IFC.
Explore more of our work, including project references and client testimonials, on our resource page. Or request our capability statement via this contact form, for a comprehensive overview of our past projects.
