Nuclear energy is the best form of renewable power for Cayman, but is currently illegal, meaning that new 2012 policies supporting alternatives to diesel fuel will focus on solar, wind and geothermal generation.

Still, the National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) announced on Wednesday, renewable energy will only ever meet 35% of Cayman’s peak-power demand, resulting in only a modest reduction of the 32 million gallons of diesel fuel burned annually by the Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC).

In a lively exchange with facilities managers, energy experts, transport planners, builders and others at a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored “Be Informed” colloquy, committee Deputy Chairman Louis Boucher – also Deputy Managing Director of CUC watchdog, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) – and the heads of its four subcommittees defended their 14-month survey of energy practices and policies, seeking to reduce local dependence on imported petrol.

“Buildings and transport dominate energy consumption,” said Robert Lewis, chair of the construction, buildings and land use unit of the NEPC, calling for a building code regarding “materials, lighting and air-conditioning”, and official incentives for “mixed-use developments”, combining commercial, residential, and other functions, reducing vehicle use and promoting “pedestrianism”.

Very few practical suggestions were offered by the committee, however, limiting themselves to a survey of what might be achieved with “policy guidelines. For example, little mention was made of developing public transport or bus networks.

“We have looked at electric and hybrid vehicles,” said James Tibbetts, head of the petroleum products and transport subcommittee, past Chamber president and long-time local official at Texaco.

Electric cars, available through Cayman Automotive, and electric-petrol hybrids, Mr Tibbetts said, were “limited by range, but will become very much more attractive and convenient” as their technology evolves.

Mr Boucher, who also chairs the electricity, water and waste-water subcommittee, said he was pursuing questions of efficient technology and how water distribution and better waste-water treatment could be locally integrated.

”We are looking at providing secure and affordable energy for consumers without adversely affecting government revenues,” he said, although he did not touch on how to replace the $14.4 million government earns annually from the 75-cent per gallon levy on CUC’s diesel imports

Finally, Cayman Brac Power and Light General Manager Jonathan Tibbetts, head of the public education subcommittee, detailed plans to raise awareness of renewable energy through lectures, school visits, public presentations and town meetings.

Asked about nuclear energy, Mr Boucher said the ERA regulations outlawed it, but acknowledged that “we see nuclear as viable, but we have to be patient. France generates 80% of its power through nuclear.”

James Tibbetts described nuclear power as “very attractive for the future. New units, in smaller packages, are available.” Cayman Institute’s Nick Robson joined him from the audience, saying reservations about nuclear power stemmed from Japan’s Fukushima facility, damaged in the recent tsunami.

“That technology is 50 years old and there is a lot of newer technology that is safer. It’s the cheapest way to generate electricity,” he said.

Wind power, however, “is the most viable for the islands,” Mr Boucher concluded, although the East End construction of a Doppler Radar tower for tracking aviation and weather had removed the best site in Cayman for a complex of windmills.

“There are still a couple of locations for wind farms,” Mr Boucher said, but did not elaborate.

Steve Powell, facilities manager for the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, said the hotel “won’t consider solar energy” because purchase and installation of the panels, calculated against power generation, “makes no economic sense” while hurricanes also posed a significant threat.

“Nuclear,” he said, “is the only solution.”

Chairman of the NEPC, West Bay MLA Cline Glidden, said that he sought to create energy policies for the next 50 years that would secure reliable, diverse and affordable supplies, reduce Cayman’s carbon footprint, boost the economy and create employment.

“The vision is to be efficient,” he said.