Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS): The Honorable Konris Maynard, Minister of Energy for St. Kitts and Nevis, presented an ambitious vision for the nation’s sustainable energy future.
Speaking at the Energy Conference held at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, on November 28, Minister Maynard underscored the critical importance of energy in propelling the country towards sustainability. He detailed the government’s commitment to transforming St. Kitts and Nevis into a sustainable island state, highlighting key strategies to significantly boost the utilization of renewable energy sources across the country.
One of the key milestones in this journey is the exploration of geothermal energy in Nevis.
“Upon coming to the government we were presented with an opportunity that existed for the exploration or the fruition of geothermal in Nevis where it was required for the government to support an initiative for drilling of production wells in Nevis,” said Minister Maynard, adding that the Labour-led Administration of St. Kitts and Nevis was completely on board with that initiative as it aligned with their sustainable island state agenda.
Minister Maynard outlined specific actions undertaken to reach an ambitious goal of 30% renewable energy usage within the next two years, with the aim of increasing this to 50-60% in three years. The government has introduced initiatives like tax incentives for renewable energy products and created a supportive environment for private investments in sustainability.
The Minister further emphasized a public awareness campaign aimed at encouraging citizens to embrace renewable energy practices, such as using energy-efficient LED lamps. Addressing the transformation of the transport system, St. Kitts and Nevis is being positioned as a prime location for electric vehicles. Minister Maynard noted that here in St. Kitts, the range of an electric vehicle, can span the entire island for a week on just one charge, presenting it as a feasible and beneficial option for our residents.
Addressing the need for a comprehensive strategy, Minister Maynard announced the development of a feeding tariff for renewables. This initiative aims to incentivize investors and homeowners to contribute to the energy grid by selling excess electricity, thus reducing dependence on fossil fuels for power generation.
The Minister’s vision and the government’s proactive measures underscore St. Kitts and Nevis’ commitment to a sustainable energy future, setting an example for other nations to follow.