A major new energy project

By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

A big new green energy project is in the works in St Lucia.

Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited has issued a request for proposals for competitive firms to submit bids to develop an on-island three-megawatt solar photovoltaic project.

The solar plant will be located north of the Hewanorra International Airport at La Tourney, Vieux Fort, and represents the first utility-scale solar PV project in Saint Lucia.

“It is our expectation to commission at least one megawatt of solar energy by the end of this year,” said Trevor Louisy, LUCELEC Managing Director. “Together with the work that we have started on the proposed wind farm in Dennery, we are making steady progress towards adding renewable energy to our electricity generation mix.”

At full capacity, the plant is anticipated to provide over five percent of the power generation needs of the island.

“The solar installation with LUCELEC will bring renewable energy investment from around the globe to Saint Lucia and set an example of how to scale renewable energy solutions in the Caribbean,” said Justin Locke, Director for the Rocky Mountain Institute and Carbon War Room.

LUCELEC is funding the project, and will continue to operate and manage the plant after its completion in order to ensure continued grid stability.