As part of a wider push to generate 35 percent of its energy from green sources by 2020, St. Lucia has completed a landmark project to power its Government House with solar energy.
The project is the product of a partnership with the Solar Head of State nonprofit organization; it was first announced at the Paris COP21 Climate Conference in December of last year.
“The commitment of Saint Lucia to transit from dependence on fossil fuels to more renewable sources of energy is demonstrated here by this project to install solar panels at the Governor General’s official residence.” said Gale Rigobert, St. Lucia’s Minister with Responsibility for Renewable Energy.
Government House in St. Lucia is now solar.
The news comes as St. Lucia’s government, in collaboration with the island’s LUCELEC utility, is completing the bidding process on a 3MW solar photovoltaic facility that will power between 5 and 8 percent of the country’s national energy demand.
“It’s wonderful to see this type of leadership for a cleaner and brighter future in this region that I love so much – and from a small island too,” said Sir Richard Branson, one of the Caribbean’s leading green energy advocates. “Congratulations, Saint Lucia and Solar Head of State on this fantastic initiative that sends a positive and strong message to the world.”
Solar Head of State is planning a rollout in the Caribbean, with the aim of similar projects in five countries in the Caribbean this year and early next year.