Minister Maynard pushes Sustinable Island State Agenda of St Kitts and Nevis at ISA 2025 

Konris Maynard, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Utility and Energy emphasized solar energy as the key pillar to energy transition of the Sustainable Island State Agenda of St Kitts and Nevis. Speaking during the 8th session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in India, the Minister added that the platform will serve as the key opportunity to push their agenda.

Minister Maynard also called the ISA as a melting pot where the industry experts and policy makers have been gathered to discuss the importance of solar energy. He further talked about the steps taken by the government of St Kitts and Nevis for the energy sector and highlighted the 50-megawatt solar farm.

It is expected to be the largest solar and battery storage installation in the OECS as Minister Maynard highlighted that the project is aimed to fulfill 30 to 40% of the national demand for electricity.

“We are right in the middle of bringing on what would be the largest solar installation in the OECS. Quite possibly solar and battery energy storage could take up or to provide maybe around 30 to 40 percent of all the energy needs for the country,” he said.

Minister Maynard also put focus on the price of energy and adde that solar energy is cheaper than that of fossil fuel. He said that solar energy will provide a proper control of the government of St Kitts and Nevis over the price of energy for locals.

Konris Maynard also talked about the benefits of the vast sunlight which is received by St Kitts and Nevis year-round and said that it has placed the country in a strong position. With the help of this, the country can maximise the benefits of clean energy technology.

Minister Maynard also met the DG RK Singh of the ISA and participated in a bilateral meeting with him. During the meeting, they talked about development agendas of St Kitts and Nevis, issues of the SIDS and solar energy.

He also put focus on the sustainable island state agenda of the country and how energy transition is bringing their agenda into life. The future aspects of solar energy and how it will benefit the small island states were also part of the meeting.

DG RK Singh mentioned the techniques that can be used for the disposal of solar panels after their life is finished and how this can be considered as a global benchmark and all countries need to follow the same pattern.

The meeting with DG Singh also featured the discussion on lowering the cost of solar energy in which Minister Maynard noted St Kitts have had experts to advise on would be the ideal circumstances to start the developments in for solar energy.

Minister Maynard added, “We are looking at possibilities to look at the isa and its partners for further collaborations.”

ISA DG Singh also emphasized that 10 percent of some countires’ GDP is being spent on the fossil fuels but with solar the costs will reduce. The meeting also focused on the strategies that will be used for the pool procurement of solars for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Anthony Morris

Reporter at SKN News | [email protected] |  + postsBio ⮌

Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.