Above: solar panels in St Kitts

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Kitts and Nevis’ cabinet has approved the waiving of taxes on a range of equipment that produces alternative energy, according to Information Minister Nigel Carty.

The proposal, which was submitted by Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas, includes a waiver of import duty and customer service charge on solar photovoltaic panels and ancillary equipment for generating electricity.

The changes also apply to hydrogen fuel cells and ancillary equipment, wind turbines, energy-saving bulbs, solar water heaters and other solar equipment, among others.

St Kitts and Nevis has been making a push on green energy of late, particularly on the solar front, where it has received assistance from the government of Taiwan.

Solar panels have now been installed at government headquarters in Baseterre, which houses the Prime Minister’s office, the Attorney General’s office, the National Assembly and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Youth and Sports.

St Kitts has also announced the potential construction of a solar panel manufacturing plant by a Taiwanese firm.