Montserrat’s draft energy policy has been released for review. On Tuesday the document called The Power To Change – Montserrat’s Energy Policy was placed online for consultation.
The policy covers the period 2016 to 2030 and according to the report, has been “structured and designed to ensure that by 2030, Montserrat has: “Reliable, low-cost, sustainable provision of energy services matched to the societal and development needs of Montserrat over time, equitably provided to all sectors of the society, and based on robust, diverse energy sources and distribution systems that utilize appropriate generation technologies.”
The policy covers the period 2016 to 2030 and according to the report, has been “structured and designed to ensure that by 2030, Montserrat has: “Reliable, low-cost, sustainable provision of energy services matched to the societal and development needs of Montserrat over time, equitably provided to all sectors of the society, and based on robust, diverse energy sources and distribution systems that utilize appropriate generation technologies.”
Hon. Minister of Communications, Works & Labour Paul Lewis says in his opening letter: “Although we are small, we want to benefit from the bigger ideas and new technologies that have worked elsewhere. Our regional and international partner’s networks and access to knowledge will help deliver cost effective business solutions that will remove our reliance on fossil fuels and build technology with low carbon options. Cheap, available, reliable, renewable energy will help boost business and tourism, driving our economy forward.
“Montserrat is a small island and a big-hearted nation. I look forward to achieving our goals in the context of a meaningful and effective responses to reduce our carbon emissions; develop indigenous, renewable energies; and use our energy efficiently and effectively,” noted Minister Lewis.
Hon. Premier Donaldson Romeo said “My government and the people of Montserrat express our sincere thanks and gratitude to all who have played a role in the development of the Montserrat National Energy Policy. This includes the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the European Union (EU), the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Carbon War Room – Rocky Mountain Institute (CWR-RMI), the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) and Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL).”
He added commendations for Minister Lewis for his leadership in advancing this ambitious policy.
There are four primary objectives of the Montserrat Energy Policy:
1. Montserratians are well aware of the importance of energy conservation, use energy wisely and continuously pursue opportunities for improving their use of energy, with key economic sectors embracing eco-efficiency.
2. Montserrat has a modern energy infrastructure with clean and secure generation capacity, ensuring that energy supplies are reliable and affordable available in homes, communities and the productive sectors on a sustainable basis.
3. Montserrat is a world-class example for renewable energy use, providing secure energy supplies at internationally competitive prices and a small carbon footprint, capable of supporting medium-and long-term economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability.
4. Montserrat has a well-defined and established governance, institutional, legal and regulatory framework to support the future developments in the energy sector, underpinned by high levels of consultation and citizen participation in this sector that is the “cornerstone” of the plans to restore prosperity and sustainability to the island.
“Montserrat is a small island and a big-hearted nation. I look forward to achieving our goals in the context of a meaningful and effective responses to reduce our carbon emissions; develop indigenous, renewable energies; and use our energy efficiently and effectively,” noted Minister Lewis.
Hon. Premier Donaldson Romeo said “My government and the people of Montserrat express our sincere thanks and gratitude to all who have played a role in the development of the Montserrat National Energy Policy. This includes the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the European Union (EU), the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Carbon War Room – Rocky Mountain Institute (CWR-RMI), the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) and Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL).”
He added commendations for Minister Lewis for his leadership in advancing this ambitious policy.
There are four primary objectives of the Montserrat Energy Policy:
1. Montserratians are well aware of the importance of energy conservation, use energy wisely and continuously pursue opportunities for improving their use of energy, with key economic sectors embracing eco-efficiency.
2. Montserrat has a modern energy infrastructure with clean and secure generation capacity, ensuring that energy supplies are reliable and affordable available in homes, communities and the productive sectors on a sustainable basis.
3. Montserrat is a world-class example for renewable energy use, providing secure energy supplies at internationally competitive prices and a small carbon footprint, capable of supporting medium-and long-term economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability.
4. Montserrat has a well-defined and established governance, institutional, legal and regulatory framework to support the future developments in the energy sector, underpinned by high levels of consultation and citizen participation in this sector that is the “cornerstone” of the plans to restore prosperity and sustainability to the island.
Currently Montserrat has the highest electricity bills in the OECS. Work continues to explore geothermal energy as a viable method to replace the island’s dependency on fossil fuels.
The document can be downloaded here. The Power to Change MEP -Version
