Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 12, 2019 (SKNIS): Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, said that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will facilitate the construction of the largest solar generation and energy storage project in the Caribbean during the Budget Address 2020 on December 12, 2019.
The Federal Government, in collaboration with The St. Kitts Electricity Company Limited (SKELEC), signed an agreement with Leclanché SA in September 2019. Prime Minister Harris described Leclanché SA as “one of the world’s leading energy storage companies based in Switzerland.”
The construction of solar energy plants is part of the Government’s sustainable development agenda to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Prime Minister Harris said that upon completion, “St. Kitts and Nevis would have led the way in terms of alternative energy.”
The honourable prime minister said that “the Team-Unity Government is doing what is necessary to turn the curve in terms of the use of fossil fuel and of course the introduction in a real way to alternative energy.”
This project, once operational, is also envisioned to “improve the long term financial viability of SKELEC,” said Prime Minister Harris.
This point was also supported by Minister with responsibility for Energy, the Honourable Ian Patches Liburd who stated that this project is a “potential lifesaver of the financial security of SKELEC,” during the Sitting of Parliament on July 30,2019.
“The 35.6-megawatt solar energy plant and the 44.2 megawatt-hour battery storage facility will be built on 100 acres of crown land located in the Royal Basseterre Valley National Park utilising a lease agreement,” said Prime Minister Harris. “The plant will be constructed in close proximity to the SKELEC Power Station to facilitate the cost effective transfer of energy. A 20 year Power Purchase Agreement has been established between SKELEC and Leclanché SA.