GSEII - Global Sustainable Energy Islands Initiative

In the Caribbean, in addition to St. Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica, where the Sustainable Energy Plans are in the implementation stage, GSEII partners expanded their work to St. Kitts & Nevis through the Eastern Caribbean Geothermal Development Project, or the “Geo-Caraïbes”, which is led by the Organization of American States, and seeks to overcome barriers to the development of geothermal power in the Eastern Caribbean.

At the Mauritius International Meeting held in January 2005, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis expressed interest in his country’s moving toward renewable energy goals, and he has directed his Planning office to formally make arrangements for a process for sustainable energy planning. Discussions were already ongoing between OAS and the Planning Ministry and the local utility, which are expected to make considerable progress during the year 2005.

GSEII Projects in St. Kitts and Nevis

Domestic Bio-Energy Program

In 2004, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis closed its sugarcane industry due to steady financial losses that had occurred over the prior twenty years. This event was particularly unfortunate in light of the important role the industry had played in the social and economic development of the nation.

Sugarcane, however, is useful for the generation of energy in several ways. Fermenting the sugar will create ethanol, which has potential for powering transportation on the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. Similarly, bagasse, the biomass remaining after the sugar is extracted from the cane, may be used as feedstock for other energy production or cogeneration.

The GSEII team, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, and other agencies are currently investigating the potential for reviving the sugarcane industry, diversifying it to renew sugar production and generate energy for the nation.

GSEII Events in St. Kitts and Nevis

June 2006. St. Kitts and Nevis Sustainable Energy Plan Stakeholders Meeting