Basseterre, St. Kitts (MoPIEUDT News) – There is an ecosystem of energy resources and policies that operate to guide how an ordinary citizen interacts with multiple forms of energy in daily life. Since taking office as the Minister of Energy in August 2022, the Hon. Konris Maynard articulated clear goals for the energy industry in St. Kitts and Nevis, including harnessing energy from renewable sources to yield an optimum mix capable of meeting demand.
“I would like to reiterate my commitment to ensuring that the citizens of the Federation have access to clean, secure, and affordable energy. I am also committed to the goal of 100 percent of our electricity being supplied from the optimum mix of renewable sources such as geothermal, solar PV, wind, and waste-to-energy.”
– Hon. Konris Maynard,
The defining feature of clean energy is that it releases no pollutants into the atmosphere. Clean energy, therefore, may derive from renewable energy sources, which are, by definition, self-replenishing. Although green energy derives from natural sources, renewable energy may fail to qualify as green energy if it has some detrimental impact on the environment.
The launch of the SKN-100 project in July 2024 demonstrated Minister Maynard’s commitment to making energy secure and affordable, while also highlighting how international, and environmental obligations can influence local policy. The project, which signals the country’s resolve to decarbonizing the energy sector by 61% in 2030, also operates to facilitate energy security and affordability by reducing dependence on resources external to the nation. The project is also in line with international commitments concerning a reduction in carbon emissions.
Accordingly, a reduction in carbon emissions not only implies a reduction in the energy generated by fossil fuels, but it also implies an uptick in electricity generated by clean energy sources. The optimal mix of renewable energy for electricity generation in St. Kitts-Nevis will be achieved at a point where the proportions of geothermal, wind, and solar energy are optimized to minimize costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and other pollutants while ensuring a stable, secure electricity grid. The Director of the Energy Unit, Dr. Bertill Browne, explained what this would look like in practice.
“The optimal energy mix for St. Kitts-Nevis should be anchored in a robust geothermal energy infrastructure, which will serve as a reliable and consistent base load power source as it offers a stable output.
The integration of utility-scale solar and wind energy projects will significantly enhance the country’s renewable energy capacity. When paired with advanced battery storage systems, these technologies can offer a resilient and flexible energy grid.
These two technologies can be supplemented by rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and small wind turbines at the residential and commercial levels.
Therefore, the ideal energy mix for St. Kitts-Nevis will comprise of geothermal as a base plus utility-scale solar and wind with battery storage. This will be supplemented by rooftop solar PV and small wind turbines.”
– Dr. Bertill Browne, Director of the Energy Unit
The path to an optimum energy mix is not a straight line. Even as the country’s leadership sets its sights on the Sustainable Island-State Agenda, the country’s existing infrastructure, and sweeping dependence on fossil fuels for daily activities symbolize the inertia that operates to inhibit the linear transition to renewable energy. Nonetheless, key targets for the energy transition have been defined. With those targets in view, the Ministry remains resolute in its commitment to usher in a new energy era that is rooted in security, sustainability, and affordability for all citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.
