St. Kitts and Nevis is continuing its drive towards becoming the world’s first sustainable island state with the start of construction of a second solar farm.
“Our country takes another leap forward, a very giant leap in our programme of energy cost reduction and electricity costs reduction.
Today, your Govern-ment undergirds its commitment to free us all from the fossil fuel reliance which has burdened so many countries for so very long, and to harness the power of the sun – a power which Nature has given to us in such great abundance in this very beautiful country, St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Dr. Denzil L. Douglas at the ground breaking ceremony.
A release from his office said that construction of the second solar plant is being funded by the St. Kitts Electricity Corpora-tion (SKELEC) and the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The release said that SKELEC is assuming 45 percent of the cost and the Republic of China on Taiwan 55 percent of the costs. The first solar farm commissioned in September 2013 generates electricity for the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
“Local engineers, technicians, and workers will be involved in the construction of this important facility, thereby ensuring vital technology and skill transfer to Kittitians and Nevisians alike,” said Douglas, who added that upon completion, the solar farm will be fully owned by SKELEC.
Douglas said it is the first of two more solar farms which will be constructed and together will generate one megawatt of power for St. Kitts.
“It has changed the way that St. Kitts and Nevis, their consumers light their homes and bring electricity generally to their appliances that they use in their homes.
This government as you would have been reminded earlier, we have changed the lighting of our streets in St. Kitts and Nevis and the lighting of our homes by the distribution of LED bulbs and by solar lighting,” he said, according to the press release.
He added “It is a perfect example of your government’s competence; and a perfect example of our governments’ propensity for hard work; and our own ability to focus and deliver; deliver on real progress and real change for the benefit of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
For all of these reasons, and because of the tremendous benefits that this solar plant will bring to the people of this Federation, my Government is especially pleased to be taking yet another huge step to ensure that in both islands of St. Kitts and Nevis as will be indicated on the solar panels once this farm is completed we ‘Go Green!’ he declared.