BISX-listed Consolidated Water says its operations inject $18 million annually into the Bahamian economy.

Addressing the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association Conference (CWWA), one of the company’s Bahamian directors, Joseph Curry, said it had invested $40 million in its two New Providence reverse osmosis plants at Blue Hills and Windsor.

Mr Curry, who is also the Senate’s vice-president, said the two plans were among the most energy-efficient in the world, with the tariff being one of the lowest in Caribbean.

“And to improve our efficiencies, we are currently looking into renewable energy alternatives that will further improve efficiencies,” he said.

Consolidated Water (Bahamas) produces more than 11 million Imperial gallons of potable water per day - two million at the Windsor Plant, and nine million at Blue Hills.

Mr Curry said $40 million has been invested by Consolidated Water and its Bahamian subsidiary, while $18 million was injected into the economy annually.

“Since its public-private partnership with the Bahamas, Consolidated Water has invested $40 million in its local company to provide a reliable water supply to the Bahamas,” Mr Curry said.

“As a further commitment to the Bahamas, Consolidated Water (Bahamas’) continued operations resulted in over $18 million invested in the local economy per year, via salaries, chemicals, fuel, electricity, supplies, services, charitable donations and sponsorships.

“Consolidated Water (Bahamas) currently employs 100 per cent Bahamian staff, and has appointed five Bahamians to the Board, myself included, who take a vested interest to ensure that the water supply partnership benefits the Bahamas.”

Consolidated Water’s chief operating Officer and executive vice-president, John Tonner, further explained the company’s energy efficiency rating.

“We are front-runners in operating diesel-driven reverse osmosis plants, which are more robust and reliable, especially in locations that can be hit by natural disasters, such as hurricanes,” he said.

“In the Caribbean, the cost of energy is often four times, a times even six times, higher than other locations where desalination is prevalent. That’s the reason that some of the most advanced technologies to improve energy efficiency are developed not only in the Caribbean, but in our plants. Our technology has been exported around the rest of the world.”

Mr Tonner said renewable energy is being considered, and Consolidated Water has begun implementing smaller scale energy sources in Caribbean locations

“We have implemented solar panels in one of our Cayman plantsm and we also rely on solar energy for a portion of the electrical lighting systems at our Blue Hills plant,” he said.

“We continue to investigate this avenue and other renewable sources in the Caribbean, and we are constantly looking to be ‘greener’ and have less of an environmental impact.

“We are always on the lookout for what people are doing at the leading edge, and which new technologies might be applicable. This is an opportunity to share some of the technology, projects, and best practices we have developed and discovered for reduced energy consumption or otherwise.”