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Saint Lucia
– The Government of Saint Lucia is spearheading a transformative resilience initiative through the deployment of a renewable energy microgrid and solar-powered water pump project at two public schools in Dennery.
This initiative is included in the partnership between the European Union and the Government of Saint Lucia to advance in the energy transition, as part of the EU Global Gateway strategy. This microgrid’s project in Dennery is supported by the EU through its Euroclima Programme, co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to promote sustainable development and climate action in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The project highlights the Government’s continued commitment to integrating renewable energy solutions to safeguard critical infrastructure while aligning with national climate targets. By constructing a solar micro-grid to service the Dennery Infant and Dennery Primary Schools, as the first of additional phases to be executed by the Government, the project will ensure uninterrupted power supply during extreme weather events. It will also contribute directly to the goal under the recently submitted ambitious third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and reinforcing the resilience of the country’s energy infrastructure. NDCs are climate action plans submitted by countries to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Project will involve extensive community engagement to ensure community ownership and long-term sustainability. In addition, it ensures capacity building for stakeholders from different agencies including Energy Division, Utility, National Utility Regulatory Commission (NURC), National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) and others.
The Project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, as one of the implementing agencies of Euroclima, and also supported by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the Climate Finance Access Network (CFAN). This joint Project underscores the Energy and Public Utilities Division’s commitment to advancing energy security and climate resilience.
“This Project represents a milestone in our strategic efforts to future-proof Saint Lucia’s critical facilities,” said Mr. Kurt Inglis, acting Chief Energy and Public Utilities Officer. “By decentralizing energy generation and prioritizing renewables, we are not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also ensuring that essential services like education and emergency response remain operational during disasters. This is a blueprint for scaling climate resilience across the island.”
“This project is a tangible example of the European Union’s commitment to building resilient, sustainable communities through clean energy solutions. By partnering with Saint Lucia and the GIZ under the EU Global Gateway strategy, we are investing not only in infrastructure but in the future wellbeing of the people of Dennery. This microgrid demonstrates how climate ambition can translate into concrete benefits for education, emergency preparedness, and energy security.”- Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, European Union Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
“We are navigating a critical time when it comes to climates impacts,” says Skeeta Carasco, who serves as CFAN advisor to Saint Lucia and advised on this project. “Saint Lucia has already demonstrated what leadership looks like when it comes to ambitious climate and energy targets: this project shows what implementation of those targets can look like on the ground. It’s heartening to see the support this Project has received and shows what can be accomplished by deepening local and regional capacity to deliver on national needs and priorities.”
Additional benefits include increased energy security, enhanced capacity to implement and regulate renewable energy microgrids and energy efficiency, increased economic opportunity, and improved social wellbeing of the Saint Lucian populace.
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