Barbados is turning its environmental challenges—the problematic presence of sargassum seaweed—into innovative solutions for energy through its new biofuel project. With the Caribbean region facing rising tides of sargassum over the last decade, the islands have found themselves grappling with not only unsightly beaches but financial burdens estimated to reach millions each year for cleanup efforts. Enter 'Rum and Sargassum,' the startup led by mechanical engineer Legena Henry and her data scientist husband, which aims to convert this invasive seaweed, along with rum distillery waste, compost, and animal droppings, particularly from local sheep, to create bio-compressed natural gas (bioCNG) for fueling cars.
This initiative stems from Barbados’ goal to become fossil fuel-free by the end of the decade, inspired by the urgency to protect tourism—a key industry for the Caribbean nation—while simultaneously reaching net-zero emissions. Dr. Henry, who also teaches at the University of the West Indies (UWI), initially sought to replicate Brazil's success with sugarcane biofuel, but found less potential with available sugarcane supplies. Instead, during their efforts to devise renewable energy solutions, she and her student Brittney McKenzie stumbled upon the opportunity to utilize sargassum, which has become abundant due to changing ocean conditions exacerbated by climate change.
With the primary aim to mitigate the growing prevalence of sargassum on the coastlines, Henry's startup began testing methods to transform this waste, using bioreactors filled with mixtures of sargassum, rum distillery wastewater, and even sheep dung for bacterial cultivation. Preliminary tests showed promise, leading the team to patent their process by 2019. They later showcased their findings at the UN General Assembly, which helped secure funds to move from concept to prototype.
According to reports, this bioCNG initiative holds the promise of serving approximately 2,000 customers initially, scaling to even more, perhaps supplying fuel for up to 100,000 vehicles—about 75% of the total cars on the island. By shifting focus away from fossil fuels, Henry estimates they could prevent around 14 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and halve fuel costs for local taxi operators.
Not only are they cleaning up the beaches, but they’re also creating job opportunities and possibly revolutionizing the way energy is produced and consumed across the Caribbean. While other nations grapple with issues ranging from fossil fuel dependency to environmental degradation, Barbados is showcasing how resourcefulness and local collaboration can yield innovative, sustainable solutions.
Despite the exciting projections, transitioning from prototype to operational scale isn’t without its challenges. Initial estimates suggest it would cost approximately $7.5 million to retrofit around 300 taxis to run on this new biofuel. To bridge this gap, Henry is actively seeking funding from development banks and other investors. The collaborative efforts promise not only economic benefits but underline the importance of innovation generated locally, addressing pressing environmental concerns.
The project resonates not just with policymakers but also with environmentalists and community stakeholders. For years, the adverse impacts of sargassum have threatened the marine ecosystem and local tourism, creating odorous conditions on beaches, harming coastal habitats, and damaging marine life. Environmentalists like Shamika Spencer, who joined the research team, express enthusiasm about using sargassum to fuel vehicles, saying, "This initiative provides hope to mitigate the environmental crisis we’ve been facing with sargassum for many years."
Dr. Henry emphasized the urgency of their initiative by stating, "Tourism has suffered greatly because of the seaweed. Hotels have spent millions dealing with it, and it’s caused a crisis.” Such remarks underline the broader societal stakes at play as the project strives for success.
Looking forward, the team is also considering how to expand capabilities beyond biofuel. Future ideas include developing other commercial products like pest control solutions using sargassum. With the blend of scientific expertise, community needs, and sustainable growth at the forefront, Rum and Sargassum is emblematic of how innovative thinking can reshape energy usage and environmental health on island nations. The combination of renewable energy and local waste reclamation mirrors the pressing need for adaptive strategies amid climate change.
Barbados is setting the stage for similar moves across the region, which has been historically locked within high dependencies on fossil fuels and tourism-reliant economies. The urgency became apparent when Prime Minister Mia Mottley highlighted sargassum as “a national emergency" back in 2018, demonstrating the grave nature of the challenge. With new approaches like those from Rum and Sargassum, the resilience of Caribbean nations appears increasingly poised, not just to survive, but to strive for sustainable, innovative futures.
