PRESS RELEASE – The Government of Saint Lucia has a target of generating 35% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
This pristine island currently depends on dirty diesel generatorsfor power, but has ambitious goals to revolutionize its economy with solar, wind, and geothermal energy.
Solar represents the easiest attainable resource, and Saint Lucia is already famous for its sunshine, which draws visitors from around the world.
To mark the start of its own renewable revolution the Government of Saint Lucia has partnered with the nonprofit Solar Head of State to install solar panels on the public residence of the GovernorGeneral, Government House.
Solar Head of State’s mission is to help world leaders to role-models in environmental stewardship by encouraging the adoption of solar PV on prominent government buildings.
Saint Lucia’s officials first announced their intention to install the panels on Government House at the Paris COP21 Climate Conference in December 2015.
Saint Lucia was among a group of 15 climate vulnerable countries which together became the first nations to ratify the Paris Agreement in April 2016.
Officials recognize that reducing Saint Lucia’s emissions alone will not have a large impact on climate change; Saint Lucia emits just 0.0015% fraction of global carbon emissions.
But by leading on renewable energy the island can take a strong moral stance and showcase solutions for larger nations to follow. As a small island developing state (SIDS) Saint Lucia is particularly vulnerable to climate change, facing damage from rising sea levels and increasingly strong and frequent tropical storms.
Saint Lucia’s recently appointed Minister with responsibility for Renewable Energy, Hon. Dr. Gale Rigobert, said, “The commitment of Saint Lucia to transit from dependence on fossil fuels to more renewable sources of energy is demonstrated here by this project to install solar panels at the Governor General’s official residence.
The plan will also help to reduce energy costs for citizens of Saint Lucia which, like most island nations, suffers from astronomically high electricity costs that hinder economic development.
The government, in collaboration with the local electricity utility LUCELEC, is currently completing the bidding process on its first utility scale installation, a 3MW solar PV facility that will power 5-8% of the national energy demand.
Solar Head of State assembled an international consortium of project donors from across the clean energy sector to carry out the project. Major contributions were received from California-based solar installation company Sungevity and from the California Clean Energy Fund.
Panels were donated by manufacturer Trina Solar and inverters from Enphase Energy. Support was also received
from Elms Consulting, a London-based strategic consulting firm working to accelerate sustainable development on islands. Australian firms Wattwatchers and Solar Analytics provided systemmonitoring expertise and equipment.
The engineering and construction was donated by British Virgin Islands based Free Island Energy and Saint Lucian company Noah Energy. Strategic partners include the Rocky Mountain Institute, the Carbon War Room, and the Clinton Climate Initiative.
“This is a terrific opportunity to help grow the local economy and create local jobs. Free Island Energy and Noah Energy trained local trades to build this project, and now there are trained solar technicians in Saint Lucia – keeping money and skilled jobs on the island,” said Marc Lopata, President of Free Island Energy.
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