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Solar farm opens in Saint Lucia

Solar Farm opening

The Solar Farm which was recently opened at La Tourney, Vieux Fort is expected to meet approximately 5% of Saint Lucia’s electricity demand.

Managing Director of the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited, Trevor Louisy reveals the project is part of government’s new policy to facilitate the use of renewable energy.

“For the country, the solar farm aligns neatly with the National Energy Transition Strategy that seeks to provide a blueprint for a new energy future for Saint Lucia; an energy future that is focused on developing renewal energy resources and how best to integrate the optimum mix of renewal energies into the national grid, at least cost, without compromising the stability and reliability that we’re accustomed to,” The Managing Director says.

Approximately 20 million gallons of fuel is used to produce electricity annually.  The new three megawatt (MW) solar farm is expected to reduce the volume of fuel purchased by about 300,000 gallons annually.

GRUPOTEC, an international firm with extensive, worldwide experience in developing solar plants, undertook the engineering, procurement and construction of the facility. The Rocky Mountain Institute and global energy and engineering advisory firm DNV GL is assisting with project development, bid evaluation and contract negotiations.

The Clinton Climate Initiative, brainchild of the 42nd US President, provided technical assistance for the project. The foundation has been supporting the Caribbean in other areas such as confronting HIV/AIDS in particular.

The former United States President, William J Clinton was in attendance of the opening ceremony of the Solar Farm. The 42nd US president says the responsibility of combatting climate change rests on all countries.

“We live in an interdependent world. Nobody causes climate change alone, nobody is raising the sea levels alone and no one will fix it alone. The same is true of global poverty and of all the rising conflicts. The truth is that the future lies in what I would call inclusive nationalism. Be proud of who you are and where you’re from and what your roots are and still know that diverse groups make better decisions than totally homogenous ones,” Clinton says.

Construction of the solar farm began in November 2017. The facility began feeding the grid in April of 2018.  Nearly 15,000 panels will generate approximately seven million units of electricity for the year.

Approval of the National Energy Policy in 2010 provided some of the impetus for the integration of renewal energy.

Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Energy and Labour, Hon. Stephenson King reminds ceremony’s audience of the dangers faced as a result of climate change.

“The events of Hurricane Thomas, the Christmas eve Trough, Hurricanes Maria and Erma, are all grim reminders of the urgency of climate action by all, especially the bigger and more developed nations. It is with these considerations in mind, that successive governments have resolved to transform the island’s energy sector to achieve greater energy efficiency, decrease dependency on fossil fuels, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and greater indigenous energy penetration to promote social and economic development with minimal harm to the natural environment,” The Minister says.

Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Hon. Allen Chastenet delivered the final speech during the ceremony. During which he notes his satisfaction of the policy and infrastructural framework undertaken by the government of Saint Lucia.

“I’m very pleased that we are also on the plans for utilizing our geothermal resources and following a prefeasibility study for the geothermal project, a draft environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) report for the drilling sites we’re working on the legislative and regulatory framework for introducing and integrating geothermal energy into the domestic power system,” The Prime Minister says.

The solar farm project is expected to change Saint Lucia’s energy landscape significantly and provide the impetus for more renewable energy initiatives, particularly in achieving the goal of getting 35% electrical generation from renewal sources by 2020.

Christine Samuel wins Fashion Award

Christine Samuel

St. Lucian Designer Christine Samuel wins International Fashion Award.

Another Saint Lucian creative artist has received international acclaim. Local artist and designer, Christine Samuel, did it big for Saint Lucia by capturing the CARIBBEAN STYLE & CULTURE AWARD OF “EXCELLENCE– FASHION INNOVATION” at the 2018 Caribbean Style and Culture Awards, which was held in Washington D.C. on Saturday 30th June 2018.
The Caribbean Style and Culture Awards is an annual showcase of the best in Caribbean Fashion that is produced by the Washington based organization, Karib Nation Inc., in celebration of National Caribbean American Heritage Month in the United States. The highlight of the 2018 showcase was the presentation of major awards to seven designers, four top models, and one make-up artist in recognition for their sustained excellence in their work as part of the Caribbean Fashion Industry. Along with Christine from Saint Lucia the other awardees came from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Guyana, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, and the British Virgin Islands.
Christine SamuelOur Saint Lucian awardee, Christine Samuel was specifically recognized for her impressive productions under her own Christy Creations brand. Christine, who is more widely known for her many years creative excellence in the field of dance, has over the last four years been using her skills in the visual arts to produce original ladies bags that reflect vibrant Saint Lucian/Caribbean artistry and beauty. Every Christy Creations bag is individually hand-crafted, hand-painted and fashioned with selected accessories by Christine. Her bags are today attracting increasing local and regional attention, and have been showcased on runways and in trade shows in Saint Lucia, Barbados, Suriname and the U.S.A. At the Awards Showcase in Washington, sixteen international models graced the stage modelling the bags from Christy Creations in front of a large audience that was vociferous in their appreciation of the stunning creations from Saint Lucia.
Christine’s presence and participation in the 2018 Caribbean Style and Fashion Awards was facilitated by support from the local Trade Export Promotional Agency (TEPA) and the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government. Christy Creations also places on record the invaluable assistance of colleague designer Lyn Bristol who introduced her to the Caribbean Style and Culture Awards.

Hannah Olmberg-Soesman – Caribbean Energy Personality

Hannah Olmberg-Soesman

Hannah Olmberg-Soesman is 2017 Caribbean Energy Personality of the Year.

Surinamese Hannah Olmberg-Soesman has won the Caribbean Energy Personality Award for 2017. The announcement was made on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the CARICOM Electromobility Workshop and Electric Vehicle Expo being held in Barbados.
With this Award, the CARICOM Secretariat has recognised the role of this dynamic entrepreneur in introducing off-grid solar systems to remote villages in Suriname. The use of the solar systems has opened up possibilities for better school education, medical care and small-scale business in those communities, while eliminating the negative environmental impacts and the high cost of running and maintaining diesel-powered generators.
The panel of judges assembled by the CARICOM Secretariat considered seven nominations. The outstanding individuals are all leading the search for a Caribbean future in which sustainable and affordable energy is accessible to all. Through their work, they are demonstrating on a daily basis that such a future is possible.
The achievements of Hannah Olmberg-Soesman and the other nominees highlight in particular the important role that civil society organisations play in raising awareness. This was illustrated by the work of Jonathan Barcant of the IAMovement and of Adrian Thomas of RE-New Caribe, both of Trinidad and Tobago.
Some of the nominees were also praised for their ability to spearhead large-scale investments in renewable energy, as in the case of Angella Rainford’s work in Jamaica, and of encouraging businesses to embrace cutting-edge solar energy, as in the case of Joshua Hunte in Barbados.
In all cases, the nominees were selected because of their pioneering role in their respective countries and communities. Nominee Ruth Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda provided a good example of a committed advocate who promotes the use of renewable energy at household, community and national levels.
In interviews that followed the receipt of their nominations, all nominees highlighted the importance of education and training, something that nominee Indra Haracksingh of Trinidad and Tobago is well aware of, having created a university programme dedicated to renewable energy technologies.
The Energy Personality Award is one of three regional competitions organised by the CARICOM Secretariat as part of the CARICOM Energy Month in November 2017. The other prizes awarded went to 11-year old Grenadian Naomi Allard as the Region’s Young Energy Artist, and to Guyanese Sasha Woodroffe, Tobagonian Kiziah Soverall and Saint Lucian Ariel Albert for their winning submissions to the three Energy Month Youth Essay Competitions.

Mia Mottley to meet developers

Mia Mottley - Barbados Prime Minister
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, planting a symbolic tree at a groundbreaking ceremony to announce the Harmony Hall Green Condominium Project at St. Lawrence, Christ Church on Wednesday. (C.Pitt/BGIS)

Mia Mottley, prime minister of Barbados has announced that she will be meeting with the developers of every major development in Barbados, including the Hyatt Project, over the next week.
The purpose of the meetings, she disclosed, was to get a clear understanding of where the projects were; to identify any obstacles in their way; and to establish the things that needed to be addressed in order to facilitate the kind of growth necessary to propel the Barbados economy.
Noting that some conversations would be easy and others more difficult, the Prime Minister said no-one would be excluded. “We’re going to address all the issues because Barbados must be a place where development can take place but at the same time the rules of fairness and transparency will be respected.”
Speaking last Thursday evening at a ceremony to announce the Harmony Hall Green condominium project at St. Lawrence, Christ Church, Ms. Mia Mottley stressed the need for the laws related to development in Barbados to be brought into the 21st century.
She said she had mandated a review of legislation related to town and country planning as well as water zoning.
“We have to determine whether the same rules that apply to large investors ought to be the same rules that apply to a single dwelling house. We are going to have discussions as to whether we can continue to build flat roof houses, knowing that they are going to be the most vulnerable in a hurricane or whether we must not return to houses with gable roofs and hip roofs to be able to withstand hurricane and high gale force winds.”
Another important discussion, she said, would surround the height of buildings along the coast, as well as in and outside of Bridgetown.
The Prime Minister stressed that this type of discussion and consultation, which would take place over the next six to eight weeks, was necessary to avoid ad hoc decision-making.
She encouraged the Barbadian public to become involved in the discussions, which will also be streamed on social media. “I think Barbadians have a right to hear those discussions that will be taking place between the public planners, the private planners, allied stakeholders in the construction industry and of course, ordinary Barbadians who are the persons who have to use the system,” she maintained.
She also addressed the issue of water zoning, noting that the current regulations were “a remnant of the 1960s”.
Ms. Mia Mottley informed that while the Cabinet of that time had determined how land would be zoned for development based on the potential for biological contamination of water, no consideration was given in those days to chemical contamination. Therefore, what was currently in place, she said, was a system that did not take into account environmental, engineering and technological developments over the last 50 years.
As a result, she stated, Barbados’ development since that time has been premised on “things that may no longer be relevant, or, if relevant, may be capable of resolution because of technological and engineering developments”.
The Prime Minister said that a Cabinet paper was prepared in 2007 to deal with this issue and 11 years later the matter remained unresolved.
She told her audience: “I’ve asked Minister Abrahams to bring that report to Cabinet as a matter of urgency so that as we review the issues pertaining to town and country planning legislation, we will also be reviewing the issues pertaining to water zoning in this country.”

Stakeholders zero in on CSME implementation

CSME implementation

New ways of working needed to be found to tackle the implementation deficit of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), Director, Economics Department, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Justin Ram said Friday.
“The major focus should be on implementation”, Dr. Ram advised a Stakeholder Consultation on the CSME held in Georgetown, Guyana. The two-day Consultation was hosted Friday and Saturday by the CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, with support from the CDB.
Dr. Ram and CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, set the tone of the Consultation. They positioned the CSME as critical to the sustainable development of the Community and zeroed in on implementation as one of the major elements that needed to be tackled.
According to Dr. Ram, there was also need for a greater level of accountability and priorities had to be identified. He recommended planning laboratories, and better communication to the regional populace to elicit feedback and buy-in.
Ambassador LaRocque said that while there was progress on the regional flagship programme, the agenda needed to move along much faster.
The time it was taking to get things done was a cost to the Region’s private sector and to the credibility of the Community, he pointed out. He advised that regional positions had to be adopted rather than national stances. He said the Consultation needed to produce concrete recommendations to put to Ministers and Heads of Government.
A high level discussion on fixing the CSME featured presentations by Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, and former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Mr. Bruce Golding, who also placed emphasis on implementation.
The well-attended opening session that was live-streamed drew reactions from persons across the Region and in the Diaspora who weighed in via social media on what they considered the challenges to the CSME and regional integration.
Panels throughout the day examined matters such as what the CSME objectives and priorities should be and the private sector and labour. On Saturday, the Consultation focused on free movement of persons and public awareness.
The findings and recommendations from the Consultation are intended to be considered by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and also to inform the review of the CSME being undertaken by the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government which will continue in a Special Session at its upcoming meeting next month.

Don’t blame CARICOM Secretariat

CARICOM Secretariat
Former Jamaica Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding

Don’t blame CARICOM Secretariat – Bruce Golding on implementation deficit.

To blame the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat for the gaps in implementation of the Single Market and Economy was unfair, a former Prime Minister of Jamaica has said.
Mr. Bruce Golding, former Jamaica Prime Minister, addressed the matter frontally as a member of a high level panel that discussed the CSME during a stakeholder consultation in Georgetown, Guyana on Friday.
The two-day Consultation was hosted Friday and Saturday by the CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, with support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The findings and recommendations from the Consultation are intended to be considered by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED). They will also inform the review of the CSME being undertaken by the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government which will continue in a Special Session at its upcoming meeting next month.
Mr. Golding gave credit to the CARICOM Secretariat, the Community’s administrative arm, for the considerable effort it was making to push the process and its assistance to Member States. He said it was unfair that the Secretariat and the Secretary-General were being made scapegoats for the lack of implementation of the Region’s flagship programme.
Implementation, he pointed out, was primarily the responsibility of national governments.
“… credit must be given to the Secretariat for the considerable efforts it has made to push the implementation process and assist Member States to fulfill their obligations. The Secretariat is often made the scapegoat for CARICOM’s failures. It is unfair to the Secretary-General and his staff. I would not want his job for five times his salary; the frustration that it must certainly cause would be hazardous to my health.
“Implementation is primarily the responsibility of national governments. The Secretariat dare not even appear to be inserting itself in the decision-making or implementation process of Member States”, he told the well-attended session which was live-streamed.
He added that “hardly any excuse or explanation” had been proffered by Member States on their tardiness with respect to implementation.
“What is the primary cause of this malaise? Capacity or resource constraints? Lethargy? I think not! Is it lack of political will? That would suggest acceptance of the merits and necessity of doing something but an absence of the courage to do it. I think not, as well.
“We continue to be deceptive to each other and to the people of the community if we conceal doubts and fears of honouring our commitments while we speak so passionately about the CSME”, Mr. Golding said.
He advised, however, that there had to be an acknowledgement that implementation action required of Member States, in some cases, were complex and required far-reaching policy changes, legislative processes and executive action. He pointed out also that many Member States were challenged by resource and capacity constraints.
He recommended on Friday that “we need to delve deeper than the quantitative and qualitative assessment of the progress or lack thereof of the CSME implementation. It seems to me that among most – if not all – member states (including my own), there are deep misgivings about some of the CSME provisions and requirements. It seems to me that some Member States are of the view that full implementation of the CSME is likely to do them more harm than good”.
The perception and benefits of the CSME also resonated with other participants at the Consultation. From the floor, questions were raised, for example, about whether Member States wanted to cede their financial independence; conflict of interest positions that may occur in the area of national interest versus regional obligations.
Former Prime Minister Golding chaired a Commission to Review Jamaica’s Relations within the CARICOM and CARIFORUM Frameworks. The Commission was charged with evaluating the effects of Jamaica’s membership in CARICOM on the country’s economic growth and development, with particular reference to trade in goods and services, investment, international competitiveness and job creation. Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Hon. Andrew Holness earlier this year tabled the Report of the Commission in the House of Representatives.

65th Meeting of the OECS Authority

OECS Authority

Saint Lucia to host the 65th Meeting of the OECS Authority, 18-19 June 2018.

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Heads of Governments will meet in Saint Lucia for the 65th Meeting of the OECS Authority, to be held from 18th – 19th June 2018 at the Habour Club, Gros Islet. The proceedings will be held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr., The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves.
The OECS Authority is the highest decision making body of the OECS and comprises the Heads of Government whose decisions direct the work of OECS.
It is expected that all ten Heads of Government ( of full members and associate members) will be in attendance to discuss matters related to climate change, trade, border security, external representation, applications for membership and other areas of regional priority.   
The OECS Authority is currently chaired by Prime Minister Honourable Allen M. Chastanet who will hand over to incoming chairman the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr., The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves. The chairmanship of the Authority changes annually, rotating alphabetically by country. Regular meetings of the Authority are convened twice per year.
Established on 18 June 1981 under the Treaty of Basseterre, the OECS is responsible for promoting greater co-operation among Member States to “achieve the fullest possible harmonisation of foreign policy…to establish the Economic Union as a single economic and financial space…to discuss and facilitate constitutional, political and economic changes necessary for the successful development of member states and their successful participation in regional and global economies…”.
The OECS is made up of seven full Member States: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and three Associate Member States: the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and Martinique.

BSJ encourages business to implement standards

BSJ
Executive Director of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), Stephen Wedderburn, speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, on June 7. At right is Director in the Science and Technology Division at the BSJ, Dr. Dwight Ramdon.

Executive Director of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica ( BSJ ), Stephen Wedderburn is encouraging businesses to implement standards, as this will lead to greater consumer confidence.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on June 7, Mr. Wedderburn said through the BSJ, companies can receive training in areas such as quality and standards, food safety and business process management.

“We have a number of training services at the Bureau. There is training for the public which is a face to face arrangement for individuals, in –plant sessions for the large operations and attachment training which is done for companies,” he explained.

Mr. Wedderburn stated that the operational changes at the BSJ, has created the opportunity for the agency, to assist businesses through the development, promotion and use of standards.

“Standards are everywhere and play an important role in the economy by facilitating business interaction, enabling companies to comply with relevant laws and regulations, which also helps with trade and commerce,” he shared.

He encouraged business owners to see standards as a tool that can help them, rather than a hindrance.

“We have found that many people see standards as something they are forced to comply with and so if there wasn’t a requirement for them to obey…, they would ignore it all together,” Mr. Wedderburn said.

He pointed out that standards can assists in the production of goods, while at the same time, strengthen the ability of businesses to engage in international trade.

“If our Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) want to grow to the point where they can export their products, once they follow the guidelines and standards…, then they can increase their markets,” Mr. Wedderburn noted.

Onward and Upward: Two Years of Building Resilience

Saint Lucia

The Government of Saint Lucia focuses on two years of rebuilding our country and making advancements towards building a new Saint Lucia in this week’s issue of “OUR SAINT LUCIA”. We focus on:

  • Economic Growth
  • Reduced Unemployment
  • VAT Reduction
  • Record Tourism Arrivals
  • Improved Investor Confidence
  • Road Infrastructure Upgrades and MORE!

HBO renews “ Succession ” for a 2nd season

Succession

Following the show’s recent premiere, HBO has announced the renewal of its drama series SUCCESSION for a second season.

Created by Oscar® and WGA nominee Jesse Armstrong, with the pilot written by Armstrong and directed by Oscar® winner Adam McKay, SUCCESSION launched its ten-episode season on June 3. The show follows the Roy family – Logan Roy and his four children – which controls one of the biggest media and entertainment conglomerates in the world, tracking their lives as they contemplate what the future will hold for them once their aging father begins to step back from the company.

The season one cast includes Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Hiam Abbass, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Alan Ruck, Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfadyen, Natalie Gold, Peter Friedman and Rob Yang.

SUCCESSION was created by Jesse Armstrong; executive produced by Jesse Armstrong, Adam McKay, Frank Rich, Kevin Messick, Will Ferrell, Jane Tranter and Mark Mylod. Jesse Armstrong serves as showrunner.

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