Energy Awareness Month 2016 Delivered on Sunday November 6, 2016

Transcription

1 Minister s Speech Energy Awareness Month 2016 Delivered on Sunday November 6, 2016 Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow Saint Lucians. It is my honour and privilege to deliver this address commemorating the thirteenth consecutive (13 th ) year of the celebration of Energy Awareness in Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia is the pioneer of this activity which has now become regional and is being coordinated by CARICOM. The event has grown tremendously; and where previously we celebrated Energy Awareness Week, we now celebrate Energy Awareness Month. The regional theme this year for Energy Awareness Month is Sustainable Energy for Sustainable Development. The focus is on utilizing sustainable sources of energy and technology to fuel economic growth and national development. My Government would like to reaffirm its commitment to pursuing a sustainable energy agenda, inclusive of its active response to mitigating climate change and promoting energy efficiency and the incorporation of renewable energy sources into our energy mix. Saint Lucia is transitioning its energy sector to ensure that it facilitates economic growth, sustainable development and energy security. The continued efforts of the Government, through the Department of Sustainable Development and the Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Energy, have resulted in significant gains in the energy sector of our beloved island. To date, Energy month has evolved into a joint activity undertaken by the Government, private sector and community based organizations in pushing the sustainable energy agenda forward. For this year s Energy Awareness Programme, the Department of Sustainable Development will be hosting a series of activities throughout the month of November and into the first week of December. The activities this year are targeted towards a variety of sectors as the Government recognizes the significant role that everyone plays in ensuring our sustainable development. Activities include: a workshop for the public

2 sector on Energy Management and Transportation, car-pooling, park and ride, social media challenge, electric mobility road show, school visits and our second annual Kilo Walk. You may have noticed a focus on the transportation sector and this is deliberate. Transportation is by the far the largest consumer of imported fossil fuel with an estimated sixty-three percent of the total. Therefore, interventions in this area are deemed critical to stemming and reducing consumption and moving to cleaner alternatives. The first ever Energy Kilo Walk held in 2015 was a resounding success with nearly three hundred participants. The Department of Sustainable Development will once again host our Energy Kilo-Walk which like the other activities is geared towards raising awareness on sustainable energy. As a result, we intend to utilize the walk to sensitize the populace on energy issues, in particular, some of the current renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives being undertaken in Saint Lucia. We also hope to promote energy conservation techniques. Details on the time and dates of these activities will be advertised using flyers, television and radio commercials and the Government of Saint Lucia and website. For the next few minutes, I would like to highlight a few of the initiatives undertaken in the Energy Sector, over the past year. With the assistance of the Government of New Zealand and the World Bank we have conducted a suite of geochemical, geophysical and geological surveys in the Soufriere area which has allowed us to complete the surface exploration phase of Saint Lucia s 30 MW geothermal energy power developments. The final report indicates that there is significant Geothermal potential outside of the World Heritage site. This means that it may be possible to develop geothermal energy without compromising Soufriere s world heritage status and the Piton Management Area. Over the coming months the Government will be engaging consultants to undertake an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and a pre-feasibility study which will inform on how to proceed with exploratory drilling. Negotiations are continuing with the Geothermal Developer as we seek to finalize agreement on the Geothermal Resource Agreement and the Power Purchase Agreement by mid-2017.

3 On the issue of wind development, after the April 23, 2015, press launch on the erection of the WindTex test tower in Anse Canote, Dennery the Government and the developer held several meetings and jointly hosted a public consultation in Dennery on May 18, The government is seeking to re-engage the Developer to finalize terms on the wind project. The Government is also providing support to the Saint Lucia Electricity Services (LUCELEC) in their quest to pursue the installation of a 3 Mega Watt solar farm near the La Tourney area in Vieux Fort. The services of Carbon War Room have been retained to provide the expertise required to bring the development to fruition. This project is well advanced and it is anticipated that the company will award a contract to build the system in the coming weeks. These previously stated projects are some of the utility scale measures on the supply side, but the Government also has undertaken measures on the demand side and has actively demonstrated its commitment to reducing energy consumption in public service infrastructure. To date some completed initiatives include, the installation of a 25 kilowatt (kw) solar photovoltaic (pv) system at the headquarters of National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) and at the National Mental Wellness Centre. LED lighting retrofits were undertaken at the National Emergency Management Organization building, as well as the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports and Energy building. These activities were Taiwanese funded, under the Sustainable Energy: Concept to Action Project. Additional lighting retrofits of the High Court Building and the General Post Office were completed under the SidsDock funded Caribbean Energy Efficiency and Lighting Project. The Government with sponsorship from Solar Head of State installed a 5.5 kilo Watt Solar PV System at Government House. Also underway is the rewiring and lighting retrofit of the Greaham Louisy Administrative Building. The Government has engaged in the holistic legislative and regulatory reform of the energy sector. The National Utilities Regulatory Commission Act #3 of 2016, established for the first time in our history a regulator for energy.

4 But perhaps the most notable and critical achievement of this year was the finalization of the Saint Lucia Energy Roadmap which will chart the way forward for Saint Lucia towards a new energy system that is lower cost; will ensure continued reliability; and will increase our energy independence. Saint Lucia is the first country in this hemisphere to have finalized such an energy transition strategy as a collaborative effort between the Government and the utility. I wish to take this opportunity to applaud LUCELEC, the Division of Renewable Energy in the Department of Sustainable Development, and the Public Utilities Division in the Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Energy for this significant milestone. Through these changes the Government seeks to provide a conducive environment for investment, energy security, energy independence and affordable energy. As such these principles have been enshrined in the now draft Electricity Supply Services Bill; and its accompanying Regulations such as the: tariff, customer service, electrical licensing, grid code and interconnection regulations. These will help shape an energy future where renewable energy, self-generation and independent power producers can now become a reality. The Government of Saint Lucia has also taken the lead and provided import duty concession on renewable energy components, energy efficient vehicles such as electric and hybrid vehicles and vehicles that operate on sustainable fuels. The transportation sector is the major consumer of energy on island and as such, the Ministry in collaboration with the Department of Transport is in the process of implementing other measures to reduce the dependence of our economy on the volatile oil market. It is Government s stated policy objective in the National Energy Policy 2010 to reduce energy consumption in the Public Sector by 20% by year These energy saving and conservation measures are meant not only to save the Government of Saint Lucia money but to showcase Government as a model user and to demonstrate the benefits and operation of energy efficient and sustainable energy technologies. In the climate and energy sector, energy efficiency stands out as an initiative that there is consensus on. Regardless of whether the focus is on lowering electricity and fuel costs, renewables adoption, energy security, economic development, or emissions reduction, energy efficiency is part of the solution.

5 It s also something everyone can take action on. Government, private sector, and individuals can all take steps to use energy more responsibly and efficiently. And yet, with all the agreements and recognition of its importance, energy efficiency is something that has to be constantly emphasized and promoted. Why? Because energy efficiency is making small, uninteresting changes like constructing a well-insulated building, replacing a refrigerator or buying a light bulb that require less electricity. The benefits from taking these kinds of actions are often spread over time, while the cost is upfront. The Government has created an empowering atmosphere and strongly urges all citizens to participate because saving energy is an act for the environment which ultimately, also saves everyone money. Saving energy is a part of sustainable and environmentally friendly way of living and we can slow down climate change and save money at the same time. Remember that rising energy costs affect the price levels of products and services. Even with small and simple acts we can achieve notable improvements and savings. Saving energy does not mean that one would need to lower their standard of living. Consumption can be reduced by simply changing our habits. Inculcate habits that focus on reducing unnecessary consumption. Most of these we already known but are not practiced. Turning off lights and appliances, which are not in use, powering down transformers, replacing incandescent bulbs with energy efficient or light-saving bulbs and LEDs, where possible. Simple measures can make this country more energy resilient, but everyone one must play their part and this must be a partnership if we are to transform our energy sector. I encourage every citizen to move Saint Lucia s energy agenda forward and support and attend the activities slated for Energy Awareness Month Take action and start saving energy, we are all responsible for our sustainable development. I thank you